saskatchewan drivers handbook

Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook 2010A guide to safe driving

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Fuel-efficient driving techniques

Safety should be your number one concern every time you getbehind the wheel of a vehicle. The good news is that practisingfuel-efficient driving techniques not only improves road safety, italso reduces fuel consumption and cuts exhaust emissions thatcontribute to climate change and urban smog. Depending on yourdriving habits and how often you drive, these basic techniques anduseful tips could save you hundreds of dollars a year in fuel andmaintenance costs:

• It is both safer and more fuel-efficient to maintain a steadyspeed on a road. Accelerate smoothly when passing or mergingwith faster traffic and avoid hard braking. European tests haveshown that aggressive driving, including frequent rapid accelera -tion and hard braking, can increase fuel consumption byapproximately 40%.

• Drive at the posted speed limit. Lowering your highway cruising speed from 120 km/h to 100 km/h will reduce fuelconsumption by up to 20%.

• Plan your trips to combine errands and to avoid traffic jams,steep hills, road construction, etc. Combining a number of shorttrips into one longer one allows your engine and drivetrain toreach peak operating temperature, which is not possible on trips

of less than 5 km. Avoiding trouble spots shortens your traveltime and reduces unnecessary idling.

• If you are driving a vehicle with a manual transmission, learnhow to use it properly for maximum fuel savings. A tachometercan help you shift the transmission at the most fuel-efficientengine speeds (the owner’s manual will indicate these speeds).

• If you have cruise control, use it for highway driving to maintaina constant speed. The exception is on hilly terrain, where it’s agood idea to allow the vehicle’s speed to drop slightly goinguphill and then let gravity help you build up speed again (to asafe level) going down the other side.

• In summer, minimize your use of air conditioning. Operating anair conditioner in hot weather can increase fuel consumptionby more than 20% in city driving. A more fuel-efficient optionfor staying cool is to open a window. However, at high wayspeeds, use your car’s flow-through ventilation – openwindows and sunroofs increase aerodynamic drag, whichmakes the engine work harder and consume more fuel. If youmust use your vehicle’s air conditioning, avoid running itcontinu ously. Shut it off after the interior is cool or set thecontrols to a comfort level that allows the system to cycle.


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• Check tire pressure at least once a month when the tires arecold (i.e., the vehicle has been stationary for at least three hoursor has not been driven more than 2 km). If you have to drivemore than 2 km to add air, check the tires before you leave andthen add the amount of air that is missing from this reading.Inflate the tires to the recommended pressure, usually indicatedon the car door, glove compartment or in the owner’s manual.With proper tire inflation, your car will burn less fuel and besafer to drive. A vehicle with tires that are under-inflated by atotal of 10 psi increases fuel consumption by 5%.

• Use a block heater in the winter to warm the engine oil andmake cold starts easier on your engine components. Yourvehicle’s oil does not freeze when the temperature dips below0˚C, but it does get much thicker. This means your engine hasto work harder and use more fuel. Use a timer to switch theblock heater on two hours before you plan t o drive. Proper use of a block heater can improve your vehicle’s overall fueleconomy by as much as 10%. Still, don’t leave your blockheater on overnight or your energy savings will disappear in ahigher electricity bill.

• Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended operatingprocedures and maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual.Regular maintenance such as oil and filter changes will not onlyprevent early degeneration of your vehicle’s components, it willalso keep them operating at their most fuel-efficient level. Aclogged air filter can increase fuel consumption by up to 10%. Regular maintenance will keep your vehicle operatingsafely, save you money and, at the same time, help the environment.

• Remote car starters are handy in cold winter mornings, butdon’t start your car too soon. In most driving conditions,today’s modern engines need less warm-up time even on coldmornings. Also, allowing your car to idle too long wastes gasand produces unnecessary exhaust emissions.

• Idling for more than 10 seconds, except in traffic, wastes morefuel than stopping your engine and restarting again. At the endof the day, stopping unnecessary idling will benefit theenvironment and save you money.

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1. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

2. SASKATCHEWAN’S DRIVER’S LICENCE PROGRAM . . . . . .22.10 Driver’s licence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32.20 Vehicle registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42.30 Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program . . . . . . . . . . . . .82.40 Provisional licence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112.50 Change of name or address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112.60 Classified licence system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112.70 Medical requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152.80 Mandatory driver education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152.90 Preparing for your road test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152.10 Before the examination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162.11 Your test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Knowledge tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Vision test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Learning period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Road test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17A road test will be refused if: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18You will fail the road test if you: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

3. BASIC INFORMATION AND RULES OF THE ROAD . . . . . .193.10 Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193.20 Care and attention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Cellular phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203.30 Stopping and parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213.40 Sharing the road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

with large trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22with snow plows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24with motorcycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24with bicycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25with farm equipment and overwidth vehicles . . . . . . .25with snowmobiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25with school buses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26with emergency vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27with tow trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27with funeral processions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

3.50 The concept of gates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283.60 Blind spots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303.70 Directional dividing lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313.80 Traffic lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .323.90 Lane position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .323.10 Lane selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .333.11 Signalling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Table of contents

Table of contents

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Table of contents

3.12 Changing lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .353.13 Passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363.14 Bus lanes and bicycle lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373.15 Turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Right turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38Left turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

3.16 Centre turning lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .443.17 Right of way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .453.18 Stopping positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .483.19 Traffic circles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .503.20 Highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Driving to the left of centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51One-way highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51Controlled access highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

3.21 Pedestrians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .513.22 Crossing urban streets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .513.23 Wheelchairs and medical scooters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .523.24 Motorcycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .533.25 Medians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .533.26 Parking Lots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .543.27 Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .553.28 Night driving and low visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563.29 Choosing the right speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .573.30 When to dim your headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .573.31 Rules related to vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

4. TRAFFIC SIGNS AND SIGNALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .594.10 Traffic signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .594.20 Six basic sign shapes every driver must know . . . . .594.30 Standard sign colours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .614.40 Regulatory signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .614.50 Regulatory parking signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .634.60 Regulatory pedestrian crossing signs . . . . . . . . . . . . .644.70 Regulatory lane designation signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .644.80 Regulatory turn control signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .664.90 Warning signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .674.100Construction signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .714.110Railway crossings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Never get trapped on a crossing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72Never race a train . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72Avoid shifting gears on a crossing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72Watch for vehicles that must stop at crossings . . . . . .72Never drive around gates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72Flashing lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

4.120Crossroad delineators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .734.130Guide signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .734.140Information signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .744.150Traffic signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

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5. BASIC DRIVING SKILLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .775.10 Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Real and potential hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .775.20 The IPDE method of driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

Identify . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79Predict . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79Decide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80Execute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

5.30 Time – the key to judgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81The language of time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81Using time to estimate your following distance . . . . .83

5.40 Eye use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87Steer where you look . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87Search patterns on highways and rural roads . . . . . . .88“Looking up” on highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88“Referencing down” on highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90Sweeping highways with your eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Filling in the gap on highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Checking your gates on highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Checking your instruments on highways . . . . . . . . . . .91Search patterns in urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Looking up in urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Referencing down in urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Sweeping with your eyes in urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Filling in the gap in urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Checking your gates in urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Checking your instruments in urban areas . . . . . . . . . .92Search patterns at night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Search patterns in emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93Driving in dense traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

5.50 Before you drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94Vehicle familiarization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94Design components for safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95Seating position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

5.60 Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101Hand positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101“Hand over hand” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

5.70 Accelerating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1035.80 Neutral/clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1035.90 Gears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1045.10 Low speed skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104

Low speed manoeuvreing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104Steering techniques for backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106

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6.7 Grid, municipal and resource access roads . . . . . . .121Driving techniques for gravel roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121

6.8 Winter driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122Preparing your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122Preparing to see and to be seen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123Driving on slippery surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123How to get moving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125How to stop on slippery surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125Temptations to resist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125Whiteouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126The first snowfalls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

6.9 Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1276.10 Emergency driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128

Where to look . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129Emergency braking techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129Emergency steering techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129Combined braking and steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131Neutral/declutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131Skidding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131Drifting onto a soft shoulder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133Ditches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134Blow-outs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135Brake failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

6. ADVANCED DRIVING SKILLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1076.1 Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

Parallel parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107Angle parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109Parking on a hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

6.2 Turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110U-turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110Two-point turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

6.3 Highway driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114Restricted access freeways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114Entering a freeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114While on the freeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115Leaving a freeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115If you miss an exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115Emergencies on a freeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116

6.4 Passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116Estimation of safe passing time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116Estimation of the closing time of two vehicles . . . . .118The safe/unsafe judgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119The actual passing judgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119Being passed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

6.5 Curves and corners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1206.6 Driving in mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121

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7. COMPLYING WITH THE LAW WHEN DRIVING . . . . . . . .1477.10 The Traffic Safety Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Stopping when signalled by police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Producing driver’s licence and registration . . . . . . . . . .147Unsafe vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Seizure of vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Roadside suspensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148Arrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

7.20 The Criminal Code of Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149Drinking and driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149Impaired driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149Care and control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Failing to comply with a demand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Driving while disqualified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Criminal negligence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Dangerous driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151Failure to stop at scene of collision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151Licence disqualifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

7.30 Traffic tickets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1527.40 Driver Improvement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1527.50 Safe Driver Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153

8. INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

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Power steering or power brake failure . . . . . . . . . . . .135Accelerator sticking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135Headlight failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135Animals on the road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

6.11 Understanding collisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1366.12 What to do if you are in a collision . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

Protect the scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137Check all injuries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137Call the police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138Check for witnesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138Provide a report to police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138Dangerous goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138Exchange information with other drivers . . . . . . . . . .139

6.13 Impairing factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141Facts about drinking and driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) . . . . .143Prescription and over-the-counter drugs . . . . . . . . . .143Illegal drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143Fatigue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144Personal stress and illness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144Aggressive driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145Fog, dust, heavy rain and poor visibility . . . . . . . . . . .146Cellular phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146Cigarette smoke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

1

The goal of this handbook is to help you become a knowledgeableand good driver. However, it is only a reference source, coveringbasic driving rules and techniques. The relevant statutes should beconsulted to interpret and apply the law.

Good drivers are always in control of their own actions, reactionsand vehicle. Control means remaining calm and at ease behind thewheel while conducting smooth movements of the vehicle on theroad and within traffic. The goal of a good driver is to disrupt trafficas little as possible.

You should become highly skilled in identifying situations thatrequire your attention, anticipating and predicting what otherdrivers might do, deciding on your response and then executingyour decision. Make sure you have the knowledge and the ability

Introduction

to control your vehicle so a small error never turns into adangerous situation. You should be able to control your vehicle inemergencies, in a variety of weather situations, as well as onvarying road conditions including very slippery or icy surfaces.

Driving is one of the few activities almost everyone practisesfrequently. You have the choice of being a sloppy, dangerous driver,or one who drives with precision, control and safety. If you practisebasic skills and aim for consistency, you can have fun whileensuring safety for yourself and for others.

This handbook is intended to help you acquire a driver's licence.More importantly it will help you develop safe and competentdriving skills. The contents of this handbook are also available onthe SGI website at www.sgi.sk.ca.

Introduction 1

2

Driver programs and examinations are designed to develop safe,capable and proficient drivers who know and understand the rules ofthe road. Driving is a responsibility and a privilege. It is not a right.Certain provincial regulations exist to meet safety needs as well aspromote the efficient and safe flow of traffic.

To drive in Saskatchewan you must hold a valid driver’s licence forthe type of vehicle you wish to operate. The classified driver‘s licencesystem establishes minimum standards of skill, knowledge, physicaland mental fitness for the safe operation of different types ofvehicles. Drivers are then licensed accordingly.

The first time you apply for a Saskatchewan driver’s licence, you willbe asked to provide documents to prove your identity, proof ofresidency and that you are entitled to be in Canada. Each docu mentmust be from an authority such as a federal or provincial governmentor a federal agency. They must also be originals, not photocopies.Electronic scans of these documents will be retained on file, inkeeping with Canadian standards. A detailed listing of approveddocuments is available in SGI’s Establishing Your Identity pamphlet.

To obtain a driver’s licence, you must be able to operate a vehiclesafely and properly, understand all traffic signs and know the rules ofthe road. You are required to complete a driver’s examination if you:

• have never been a licensed driver;

• have not held a Saskatchewan driver’s licence within the past fiveyears;

• wish to change the class of your licence or obtain an endorsement; or

• are a new resident, and the licence you hold is from anotherprovince, state or country not honoured or recognized inSaskatchewan. Licences are honoured from the continental UnitedStates, Germany, Switzerland, South Korea, the United Kingdomand Austria. The nine-month learning period and driver trainingrequirement will be waived if you can prove past driving experienceby providing a valid driver's licence, written in English or French, ora valid licence in another language accompanied by a translationdocument acceptable to SGI (i.e. International Driving Permit).

New residents wanting a Saskatchewan driver’s licence withoutbeing tested must meet some requirements:

• If the person is a former resident of a Canadian province orterritory then he or she must have a valid driver's licence from thatjuris diction. An expired driver's licence (not older than five years)from that jurisdiction is also acceptable. New residents may drivewith their valid out-of-province driver’s licence for 90 days aftermoving to Saskatchewan.

• If the person is a former resident of the United States, Germany,Switzerland, South Korea, the United Kingdom or Austria, a validlicence and a copy of their driving record from that jurisdictionmust be provided, accompanied by a translation documentacceptable to SGI (i.e. International Driving Permit).

Saskatchewan’s driver’s licence program

Saskatchewan’s driver’s licence program2

0 3 4 0 3 5 7 8

I f you change your address or your name you must not i fy SGI’s Auto Fund Divis ion

within 15 days.To change your name, see reverse side for instruct ions. To change your address

phone tol l f ree 1-800-667-4686 (24 hour service).

2.1 DRIVER’S LICENCE

Your driver’s licence expires on the last day of your birth month orthe last day of the month that your immigration documents expire.

Starting Jan. 1, 2011, a one-part five-year driver’s licence will beimplemented. It will replace the two-part licence (photo identificationcard and paper certificate) and will have a one to five-year initialterm, based on the expiry year of the driver’s current photo ID card.For new drivers, the licence will expire in the fifth year on the last day ofyour birth month.

You must produce your licence at the request of a peace officer. Ifyou do not have your licence with you at the time, the officer mayallow you up to 48 hours to produce it. If your licence includes anyrestrictions, you must obey the restrictions when driving. See next pagefor restriction codes.

If you are a visitor to Saskatchewan, your regular licence gives you all ofthe same privileges it does in your home province or state. As a visitor toSaskatchewan, you are not required to exchange your licence orregister your vehicle in this province unless you become a resident.Should you require a Saskatchewan licence, you may need to be re-testedbefore a Saskatchewan licence is granted, but it will depend upon theclass of licence you held in the other jurisdiction. Check with your nearestmotor licence issuer. Students attending approved educational institu -tions, as well as their imme diate families, do not have to exchange theirdriver's licence during the time they are living here to attend classes. Ifyou become a Saskatchewan resident you may drive using your currentdriver’s licence and vehicle plates for 90 days after taking up residence.


2.1 Driver’s licence2

3

Not Valid unless signed by driver (in ink)

Saskatchewan Annual Driver

Licence and Automobile Accident

Insurance Certificate

Class

5

Expiry Date

31-AUG-11

Issue Date

26-AUG-10

EndorsementsRestrictions

A

Driver Licence No.35890562

Issue By:

SMITH JOHN WILLIAMPO BOX 1234ANYTOWN SK SXS 0X0

X

DO NOT DETACHRoad Test Eligibi l i ty Date

Height

5' 11''Fee

$25

Total Paid$

25

Basic Prem$ Retro Basic

$ Acc. S/C$ Retro Acc. S/C$

Eye ColourBROWN

Sex

M

Date of Birth26-AUG-94

Issuer Code:4693

Validation No.0015731A

Fake IDIt is a criminal offence to alter a photo ID card or the driver’s licence papercertificate in any way. It may not seem like a big deal, but there areserious consequences to using fraudulent ID, or loaning your ID forfraudulent purposes, including:

• getting your real driver’s licence suspended for at least three months

• a fine of at least $65

• a possible fraud conviction under the Criminal Code that could affectyour employment, your education and your chances of travellingoutside of Canada

• getting other people fined, fired or put out of business

John Smith

3.0.0

LICENCE NUMBER (PIC)35890562

PHOTO CARD ISSUE DATE26 AUG 2010 PHOTO CARD EXPIRY DATE26 AUG 2015

SMITH JOHN WILLIAM

NOT VALID WITHOUT ANNUAL DRIVER’S LICENCE CERTIFICATE

John SmithHEIGHT

5' 11''

SaskatchewanDRIVER’S LICENCE

c a n a d a

26 Aug 1319ON

94

4693

DATE OF BIRTH26 AUG 1994EYE COLOURBROWN

The two-part driver’s licenceshown here will be phased out starting on Jan. 1, 2011.

4


2.2 VEHICLE REGISTRATION

All vehicles must be properly registered according to purpose andmust display the correct number of licence plates.

Licence plates must be securely attached and clearly visible. Thatmeans plates must not be obstructed in any way that preventsthem from being read or accurately photographed by a red lightcamera system.

The number or identity of the licence plates must not be alteredor changed in any way.

Rear plates must carry current validation stickers.

New residents have up to 90 days to register their vehicle inSaskatchewan. Basic insurance coverage is required.

2.1 Driver’s licence 2.2 Vehicle registration

Saskatchewan

Land of Living Skies S A S KAUG 10

13

– must wear prescribed glasses or contact lenses

– may not drive at night

– may only drive within a 40 kilometre radius of address shown on licence

– may only drive within a 80 kilometre radius of address shown on licence

– may only drive outside the limits of a city, in a city as a learner

– must have two outside rear-view mirrors on vehicle

– driver must present Detail Authority Card

– motorcycles are limited to three-wheeled cycles, two-wheeled as a learner

– motorcycles are limited to cycles under 50 cc’s, larger as a learner

– school bus capacity is limited to under 36 passengers

– may not operate Class 2 or 4 vehicles

– Class 1-3 vehicles are limited to automatic/electronic shift transmission,

standard transmission as a learner

– may only drive school bus with automatic transmission

– may not drive a taxi for hire

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

J

K

L

M

N

T

RESTRICTION CODE

All driving authority is subject to medical approval.

– may operate vehicle with air brakes

– driver must present Detail Authority Card

– motorcycle

– school bus

ENDORSEMENT CODE

A

G

M

S

1, 2, 3 or 4 – may operate that class of vehicle as a learner

6 – may drive motorcycle as a learner

5

Licence plate insurance coverage

Your licence plates carry basic insurance coverage in three areas:

• collision and comprehensive (damage to your vehicle)

• personal injury benefits

• third-party liability

Collision and comprehensive is also known as “physical damage”coverage. It pays for damage to your vehicle due to a collision orother occurrence such as hail, fire or theft.* Claims for damage toyour vehicle are subject to a deductible.

* Vehicles are covered to the Actual Cash Value, which is themarket value of your vehicle compared with similar vehicles, withsimilar equipment, mileage and condition to the insured vehicle(see coverage limitations on page 55 of the Driver’s Licence andBasic Auto Insurance brochure).

Personal injury benefits provide Saskatchewan residents with injuryand death benefits if they are injured or killed in an automobilecollision anywhere in Canada or the United States. All Saskatchewanresidents have a choice between two equally priced auto injurycoverages – No Fault Coverage and Tort Coverage.

No Fault Coverage provides a comprehensive package of benefitsthat will cover the majority of your expenses if you’re injured in anauto collision. If someone else is found responsible for the collision,


2.2 Vehicle registration2

No Fault Coverage allows you to sue for expenses above thepackage of benefits. It does not allow you to sue for pain andsuffering, except in very limited circumstances.

Tort Coverage provides a basic package of benefits that will coversome of your expenses if you’re injured in an auto collision. Ifsomeone else is found responsible for the collision, Tort Coverageallows you to sue for expenses above the package of benefits andfor pain and suffering, subject to a $5,000 deductible.

Third-party liability coverage provides you, the vehicle owner, withup to $200,000 to pay for damages your vehicle causes to theproperty of others or injuries it causes to others.

Your vehicle deductible

Your plate insurance covers loss of, or damage to, your vehicle andits equipment from causes such as collision, upset, fire, theft,windstorm or hail, subject to your deductible.

A deductible is applicable to any vehicle loss you may have. It isthe amount you are required to pay before your licence plateinsurance benefits begin to cover the remaining costs.

For example, if your deductible is $700 and you’re responsible for acollision which causes $2,000 worth of damage to your vehicle,

Saskatchewan’s driver’s licence program22.2 Vehicle registration

then SGI will pay for damage in excess of your deductible. You willbe responsible for the first $700, while SGI will pay the remaining$1,300.

However, if it is determined that another Saskatchewan driver/owneris responsible for the damage and that person can be identified,that person’s insurance will pay for your damage, including yourdeducti ble and any other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

Coverage for specific single-vehicle losses

Single-vehicle collision – Your damages are covered for theamount in excess of your deductible. You may be able to recoveryour deductible when there is a responsible party to pursue. Youradjuster will assist you with this. In most single-vehicle collisionsthe driver is responsible and must pay their own deductible.

Storm or weather-related damage – Even though you are not atfault for weather-related damage, such as hail damage or a treefalling on your vehicle, the deductible applies as there is noresponsible party to pursue.

Collision with an animal – If you carry only the compulsory plateinsurance, the deductible applies. If you carry additional autoinsurance the deductible may be waived for any collision with ananimal.

Hit and run – Your damages are covered for the amount in excessof your deductible. You may be able to recover your deductible ifthe responsible party is identified. Your adjuster will assist you withthis.

Theft or vandalism – If you carry only the compulsory plateinsurance, the deductible applies. If the responsible party isidentified, you may be able to recover your deductible. If you carryadditional auto insurance the deductible may be waived for theftof the entire vehicle.

Coverage for multiple-vehicle losses

You’re not at fault for the collision – You do not pay thedeductible in most cases. The party found at fault for the collisionis responsible for your damage, including your deductible. Onceyour adjuster has confirmed your coverage, you may have yourvehicle repaired at the autobody shop of your choice.

You’re at fault for the collision – As the at-fault driver you areresponsible for your full deductible. Your licence plate insurance willalso pay the other driver’s deductible and cover any damage totheir vehicle.

6

7

Shared responsibility for the collision – When two motorists areeach found partially responsible for a collision, both drivers pay aportion of their deductible if their vehicle is damaged. For example,if you are found 25% responsible for a collision you pay 25% ofyour deductible.

Personal Auto Injury Insurance

The Personal Auto Injury Insurance program provides coverage forSaskatchewan residents injured in automobile collisions anywherein Canada or the United States. Coverage provided depends onwhich of two auto injury products you choose – No Fault Coverageor Tort Coverage.

No Fault Coverage

Saskatchewan residents with No Fault Coverage receive a com -prehensive package of benefits regardless of the circumstances ofthe collision. Benefits include coverage for income loss, medical andrehabilitation expenses, permanent impairment and death benefits.Those with No Fault Coverage can sue for certain expenses notcovered by their benefits, as well as for income loss which exceedsthe benefits provided by the plan. Except in very limitedcircumstances, they cannot sue for pain and suffering.


2.2 Vehicle registration2

Tort Coverage

Saskatchewan residents with Tort Coverage receive a basicpackage of benefits regardless of the circumstances of thecollision. Benefits include some coverage for income loss,medical and rehabilitation expenses, permanent impairment anddeath benefits. Those with Tort Coverage who are not totally atfault for the collision can sue for expenses and income lossesnot covered by their benefits and for pain and suffering, subjectto a $5,000 deductible.

For more information on No Fault Coverage, Tort Coverage orhow to choose your auto injury insurance, visit SGI’s website atwww.sgi.sk.ca or ask any SGI office or SGI motor licence issuingoffice for informational materials that explain the coverages.

Saskatchewan’s driver’s licence program22.3 Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program

Steps in the Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program

1. Obtain a Learner’s licence.

2. Practise driving for nine months with a supervising driver.

3. Complete the required mandatory driver training education.

4. Pass a road test.

5. Practise driving as a Class 5 Novice 1 driver for six months.

6. Drive as a Class 5 Novice 2 driver for 12 months with noincidents (i.e. at-fault collision, traffic conviction and suspensionfree).

In the event of an incident, the Novice 2 driver will be requiredto restart the 12-month incident-free period again.

7. Graduate to an experienced Class 5 driver’s licence.

2.3 GRADUATED DRIVER’S LICENSING

What is Graduated Driver’s Licensing?

Graduated Driver’s Licensing is a program designed to improveroad safety by exposing new drivers to incremental levels of risk asthey gain more experience in the driving environment. New drivers,regardless of age, are provided with the support, skills andexperience they need as they work towards becoming fullyqualified drivers.

There are three stages to Saskatchewan’s Graduated Driver’sLicensing Program – Learner, Novice 1 and Novice 2. As drivers passthrough these stages, they will see fewer restrictions at each stageuntil they graduate to an experienced Class 5 driver’s licence. TheLearner, Novice 1 or Novice 2 driving status is indicated on thedriver’s licence.

8

YOU HAVE GRADUATED

TO AN EXPERIENCED

LICEN

CE!

Restrictions

Requirem

ents

16 years of age (15 years of age high schoolprogram)

Pass written test

Nine months – excludes interruptions (non-renewal, refusal, suspension)

Mandatory education - high school training (30 hours in-class, six hours in-car) or commer -cial training (six hours in-class, six hours in-car)

Must have a supervising driver in the frontpassenger seat at all hours

Supervising driver must be an experienced,licensed driver

Between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m.,passengers must be immediate familymembers*

Number of passengers limited to the numberof seatbelts

Cannot consume any amount of alcohol anddrive (zero BAC)

Cannot be a supervising driver

Cannot obtain a commercial driver’s licence orschool bus endorsement

16 years of age

Pass Class 5 road test

Six months – excludes interruptions (non-renewal, refusal, suspension)

One passenger only who is not immediate familymember; and

Other passengers must be immediate familymembers* and are limited to number of seatbelts

Cannot consume any amount of alcohol and drive(zero BAC)


Cannot obtain a commercial driver’s licence orschool bus endorsement

12 months – excludes interruptions (non-renewal, refusal, suspension); and

12 months – at-fault collision, traffic conviction and suspension free

Number of passengers limited tonumber of seatbelts

Cannot consume any amount of alcohol and drive (zero BAC)


Cannot obtain a commercial driver’slicence or school bus endorsement

Class 7 - Learner9 months

Class 5 - Novice 16 months

Class 5 - Novice 212 months

Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program

* Immediate family members are defined as spouse, child, parent, step-parent, sibling or grandparent.


2.3 Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program2

9


Graduated Driver’s Licensing Improvement Program

Drivers in any stage who are found at-fault for a collision, or whoreceive convictions or suspensions, will be placed in the GraduatedDriver’s Licensing Improvement Program. Drivers will progressthrough the following steps:

• A warning letter will be sent to the driver if the first trafficincident (conviction) has an assigned rating of two points orfewer.*

• If the first traffic incident (conviction, at-fault collision,suspension) has an assigned rating of three to six points, thedriver will be required to attend an education or traffic safetyseminar.

Each incident thereafter will result in the driver being requiredto attend further education courses followed by theadministrative suspensions:

• Defensive Driving Course

• Driver Improvement Training – educates drivers on theresponsibilities and consequences associated with driving andencourages safe driving habits

• 30-day driver’s licence suspension



• Interview and further action* For a complete list of offence and driver points, call 1-800-667-9868.

Appeals

Drivers can appeal the requirement to attend education courses orlicence suspensions to the Highway Traffic Board. The Board isindependent from SGI and has the authority to alter the decision,issue a restricted licence or reduce or increase the length of anydriver’s licence suspension.

2.3 Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program

10

2.4 PROVISIONAL LICENCE

If your licence has been suspended for Criminal Code convictionsor certain Traffic Safety Act offences, you may be granted aprovisional licence. You will have a provisional licence if yourdriver's licence is reinstated after you have served your entirecourt-ordered prohibition period, at least half of your statutorysuspension and have completed any prescribed education oralcohol addiction recovery programs. A provisional licence grantsthe driver full driving privileges until the end of the originalstatutory suspension. The original suspension is reinstated if thezero blood alcohol content (BAC) condition is violated.

2.5 CHANGE OF NAME OR ADDRESS

If you change your name and/or address, you must advise SGI ofthe changes in writing within 15 days, or call 1-800-667-4686 toregister the change. Any changes to name and/or date of birthmust be accompanied by a legal document supporting the change.You can notify SGI of your change of address through the Express -Address online service at www.expressaddress.com. This service canalso notify several other provincial and municipal governmentorganizations of your address change at the same time.

Saskatchewan’s driver’s licence program 22.4 Provisional licence 2.5 Change of name or address 2.6 Classified licence system

11

2.6 CLASSIFIED LICENCE SYSTEM 1

LICENCE CLASS 1 – MINIMUM AGE: 18

PERMITS THE LICENCE HOLDER TO OPERATE

• Class 1 vehicles – that is, power units and semi-trailers, and trucks which have a trailer(s) or vehicle(s) intow where the gross weight of the towed unit(s) exceeds4,600 kg

• Motor vehicles in classes 2, 3, 4 and 5

DOES NOT PERMIT THE LICENCE HOLDER TO OPERATE

• Vehicles with air brakes, motorcycles or school buses withoutan appropriate endorsement(s)

REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM AGE – 18 years and not a novice driver

MEDICALLY FIT – See page 15

ROAD TEST – Must take a road test in a Class 1 vehicle

KNOWLEDGE TESTS – Written or oral tests for Class 1 vehicles



• Class 2 vehicles – that is, buses having aseating capacity in excess of 24 passengers,while carrying a passenger or passengers

• Motor vehicles in classes 3, 4 and 5

• Class 1 vehicles as a learner with appropriate endorsement



REQUIREMENTS







• Class 3 vehicles – that is, trucks with morethan two axles, except trucks registered inClass F, and trucks with more than twoaxles which have a trailer(s) or vehicle(s) in tow, except trucksregistered in Class F, where the gross weight of the towedunit(s) does not exceed 4,600 kg

• Motor vehicles in classes 4 and 5

• Power units with more than two axles, when not towing asemi-trailer

• Class 1 or 2 vehicles as a learner with appropriate endorsement


• Vehicles with air brakes2, motorcycles or school buses withoutan appropriate endorsement(s)

REQUIREMENTS




KNOWLEDGE TESTS – Written or oral tests for Class 3 vehicles1 – For further clarification, contact your local driver examiner2 – Persons with Class 3 or 5 vehicles (registered farm only) with

air brakes are not required to have the air brake endorsement

12

Saskatchewan’s driver’s licence program22.6 Classified licence system



• Class 4 vehicles – that is,

• buses that have a seating capacity of not more than 24 passengers, when transporting passengers

• vehicles registered in Class PT when transporting not more than 24 passengers for hire

• vehicles registered in Class PB or PC – when transporting not more than 24 passengers for

hire; and – when not used exclusively to transport passengers with

a disability and any attendants to those passengers

• ambulances when being used for hire

• motor vehicles in Class 5



REQUIREMENTS



ROAD TEST – Must take a road test in a Class 4 or 5 vehicle


LICENCE CLASS 5 – MINIMUM AGE: 16*


• Class 5 vehicles – that is, cars, vans3, two-axle trucks, two-axle vehicles having atrailer(s) or vehicle(s) in tow where the gross weight of thetowed unit(s) does not exceed 4,600 kg, buses when nottransporting passengers, three-axle motorhomes, taxis andambulances when not used for hire

• Law enforcement vehicles when being used for lawenforcement purposes

• Two-axle farm trucks towing vehicles which have a grossweight that exceeds 4,600 kg

• Farm trucks with more than two axles

• Vehicles registered in Class PB or PC when used exclusively totransport, for hire, not more than 24 passengers with adisability and any attendants to these passengers

• Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 vehicles as a learner with appropriateendorsement 1, 2, 3 or 4 (minimum age 18 and not a novicedriver)


• Vehicles with air brakes4, motorcycles without an appropriateendorsement(s)

continued on next page

13

Saskatchewan’s driver’s licence program 22.6 Classified licence system

LICENCE CLASS 5:

3 – If transporting more than 12 passengers, the driver must be at least 18

4 – Persons with Class 3 or 5 vehicles (registered farm only) with air brakes are not required to have the air brake endorsement

* Persons under age 18 require parental consent to obtain drivingprivileges. Once consent has been granted it cannot be withdrawn

LICENCE CLASS 7 – MINIMUM AGE: 16*15 with High School Driver Education


• Class 5 vehicles as a learner

• Motorcycles under certain circumstances with appropriateendorsement (minimum age 16)

REQUIREMENTS


IDENTIFICATION – You are required to show your full name and date of birth by a birth certificate, passport or immigrationdocuments. You will also be required to provide a signature from aSaskatchewan Health card, passport or a driver’s licence from aCanadian jurisdiction or any document acceptable to SGI. If yourname has changed due to marriage or for other reasons, pleasebring documentation to support the name change. Be sure to takeseveral pieces of original identification with you (photocopies arenot acceptable).

14

Saskatchewan’s driver’s licence program22.6 Classified licence system

LICENCE CLASS 5 – MINIMUM AGE: 16*

REQUIREMENTS

ROAD TEST – Must hold a Class 7 licence for nine months.Must take a road test in a Class 5 vehicle


The holder of a Class 7 licence must be supervised. The drivingsupervisor must:

• at all times, be capable of assuming operation of the vehicle;

• hold a minimum of a valid Class 5 driver’s licence;

• have held a valid licence for a minimum of 365 days in thepreceding three years (but is not a novice driver); and

• occupy the seat nearest to the driver and the vehicle controls.

The licence of any 15-year-old person who discontinues the HighSchool Driver Education Program will be cancelled.

2.7 MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

When you apply for, or renew, your driver’s licence, any medicalcondition that may affect your ability to drive must be reported toSGI. Write this information on a supplementary insurance form,

available from all licence issuers. Failure to report medicalconditions could result in a loss of insurance coverage. For moreinformation contact SGI's Customer Service Centre in Regina at306-775-6900, or toll free at 1-800-667-9868.

Individuals applying for a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 driver’s licence, or aClass 5 licence with a 1, 2, 3, 4 or “S” endorsement, are required tomeet medical standards and file a medical report with SGI beforetesting begins.

2.8 MANDATORY DRIVER EDUCATION

No holder of a Class 7 licence is eligible for a higher class ofdriver’s licence unless the driver has completed the High SchoolDriver Education Program or has received a minimum of sixhours of in-car and six hours of in-class instruction from alicensed driving instructor. Be sure to attend the parentinformation night sponsored by your high school educator.

A Driver Education Certificate will be issued by the instructorupon completion of your training and must be presented to thedriver examiner prior to a road test.

2.9 PREPARING FOR YOUR ROAD TEST

Get plenty of practice under a variety of driving conditions. Be sureto practice exactly the way your instructor taught you. Keep a

NOTE: The holder of a Class 1 to 5 driver’s licence is permitted tooperate a snowmobile or ATV. All snowmobile operators born afterJan. 1, 1989 must have taken an approved safety course in additionto holding a Class 1 to 5 driver’s licence. The holder of a Class 7driver’s licence is permitted to operate an ATV or snowmobileprovided they are accompanied by someone who holds a Class 1 to5 driver’s licence or supervised (within 5 m of and in view of) bysomeone on another machine that holds a Class 1 to 5 driver’slicence.

For more information regarding snowmobiles and ATVs call SGI’sCustomer Service Centre at 306-775-6900 or 1-800-667-9868. 15

Saskatchewan’s driver’s licence program 22.7 Medical requirements 2.8 Mandatory driver education 2.9 Preparing for your road test

record of your practice using the Practice Log available from yourdriver educator or SGI. Learner driver signs and A guide for parentsof new drivers booklet are available free of charge from SGI.

2.10 BEFORE THE EXAMINATION

Once you feel confident you are ready to take a driver examina -tion, book an appointment at the nearest driver examination office.To book an appointment, you must obtain a receipt from a motorlicence issuer and produce the receipt for each examination beforethe test is booked. Photocopied receipts are not accepted. Youmust also supply your driver’s licence (PIC) number at the time you book your appointment.

To book an appointment, call toll free 1-800-667-5111 in southernSaskatchewan or 1-800-667-5105 in northern Saskatchewan. Ifyou do not cancel your appointment and you do not attend yourexam, a four-week waiting period can be applied before the nextappointment is booked. If you are booking your test in Regina orSaskatoon, do not call the toll-free numbers. Call these officesdirectly at 775-6174 (Regina) and 683-2320 (Saskatoon). Officehours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to noonand 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday in Regina and Saskatoon. Written testsare available in Regina and Saskatoon without an appointment.Written tests are conducted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday toSaturday. Tests are not available on Saturdays of long weekends.

2.11 YOUR TEST

For all classes of licence you are required to pass three types oftests including:

• knowledge tests

• a vision test

• a road test

Some classes of licence also require a medical examination.

Knowledge tests

The knowledge tests consist of two parts:

• driving situations, as well as the rules of the road

• sign identification

Cell phones and electronic devices are not allowed in the test area.If you fail any part of these tests, you will be required to rewriteonly the examination(s) you failed. You may write only once perday.

If you are unsure about the meaning of any of the questions,please ask the examiner to assist you.

Sample test questions are available on the Saskatchewan Learningwebsite at: http://letmedrive.loccsd.ca/index.html or by accessingthe link on the SGI website.16

Saskatchewan’s driver’s licence program22.9 Preparing for your road test 2.10 Before the examination 2.11 Your test

Vision testThe vision test may include:

• a colour test

• a field of vision test

• a visual acuity test

• distance judgment

There are certain minimum vision standards you must meet. If youfail to meet those standards, you may be referred to anophthalmologist or optometrist for further testing, and possibleprescription of glasses or contact lenses. If you can pass the eyetest only when you are wearing your glasses or contact lenses, youwill be issued a restricted licence. This means your driver’s licencewill be valid only when you are wearing prescribed correctivelenses.

Learning period

The holder of a Class 7 licence must retain that classification forat least nine months before becoming eligible for any examina -tions toward obtaining a licence in any other class.

Road test

You are required to take a road test in the appropriate class ofvehicle and you must supply the vehicle.

The road test is an evaluation of your ability to safely operate avehicle. You will be tested on:

• starting• stopping• turning• traffic signs and signals• proper lane driving• travelling through controlled and uncontrolled intersections• parallel parking and backing up• anticipation of potential hazards• various safe driving practices like speed selection and steering

techniques

If you have any questions about the test, the examiner will behappy to answer them for you before the test starts.

NOTE: No pets or passengers, other than examination staff, arepermitted in your vehicle during the road test.

17

Saskatchewan’s driver’s licence program 22.11 Your test

A road test will be refused if:

• you are late for your appointment

• you do not have the appropriate driver’s licence or have notpaid the exam fee

• you cannot provide a Driver Education Certificate as proof ofhaving completed the required driver education

• you have not held a Class 7 licence for at least nine months

• you do not meet the vision or medical fitness standards

• you drive to the test office illegally

• the vehicle you provide for the road test is unsafe or notequipped in accordance with the law. The Driver Examiner willinspect the vehicle before the test begins. The following list ofequipment must be in working order, or the test can be refused:

You will fail the road test if you:

• exceed the speed limit

• are involved in a collision for which you are 50 per cent ormore responsible

• fail to stop where required

• fail to yield to vehicles and pedestrians

• fail to wear a seatbelt

• cannot parallel park

• disobey traffic lights

• fail to follow a request from the examiner

• require the assistance of the examiner

• make a combination of minor mistakes

At the end of the road test, a complete report will be given to youwith all errors explained. If you were unsuccessful, the report willindicate where improvement is required. When you have had morepractice, you may make an appointment for another road test. Youmust pay an additional test fee before each road test.

If you are applying for a Class 5 licence and fail your road test, youmust wait two weeks before you may repeat it. Additional trainingmay be recommended or a longer learning period imposed.

If you were successful on the road test you must take the Driver Examination Certificate to any SGI motor licence issuerwithin 12 months to have your new class of licence validated.There may be an administration fee for this service.

– horn– signal lights– brake lights– headlights (as required)– windshield wipers

(as required)– working defrost (as required)– seatbelts– speedometer– one valid licence plate

properly attached to the rearof the vehicle

– unobstructed windshield– no aftermarket tinting on the

windshield or front sidewindows

– functioning driver's and frontpassenger's doors

– proper seats– the passenger compartment

of the vehicle is not clean– the vehicle is not the right

class for the licence youwant

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Saskatchewan’s driver’s licence program22.11 Your test

19

Basic information and rules of the road33.1 Speed

3.1 SPEED

There are speed limits on all Saskatchewan roads, streets andhighways. Emergency vehicles responding to an emergency mayexceed the speed limit.

On most provincial highways, and in urban areas, speed limit signsare posted. In the absence of signs, the speed limit is 80 km/h.Most urban centres post speed limit signs at the entrances to thetown or city. Those speed limits apply to all locations withincommunity boundaries, unless otherwise posted. The speed limitmeans the fastest you can travel under ideal conditions.

The maximum speed limit when passing tow trucks or emergencyvehicles that are stopped with their lights flashing or when passingMinistry of Highways and Infrastructure equipment with lightsflashing, whether in motion or not, is 60 km/h. Within the “orangezone,” (road maintenance areas) motorists are required to slow

down and travel 60 km/h, or the posted speed, only while passingworkers or equipment occupied by a worker. However, some citieshave bylaws requiring drivers to obey orange zone speed signsthrough the entire construction area, whether or not workers arepresent. Please be familiar with the bylaws in your area.

Drivers are also required to reduce their speed to 60 km/h whenpassing a tow truck stopped on a highway with its amber beaconflashing and are rendering assistance to a disabled vehicle.

In school zones drivers must be particularly careful. Each city ortown sets speed limits in school zones through local bylaws. As aresult, laws vary from place to place so watch for signs. If there areno signs, it is still advisable to reduce your speed and proceedcautiously in school zones.

Basic information

and rules of the road

You must slow down when approaching animals on or near theroad.

Regardless of the posted, or basic, speed limit you must nevertravel faster than conditions allow for safe and reasonable passage.At the same time, travelling too slowly can be hazardous. Youshould never drive at a speed slow enough to impede or blockother traffic, unless proper safety precautions have been taken.

Racing is illegal on any public road, street or highway.

3.2 CARE AND ATTENTION

You must always drive with care, attention and reasonable con -sidera tion for other road users. It is illegal for you, or any of yourpassengers, to perform stunts or other activities that distract,startle or interfere with other road users.

Driver inattention and driver distraction account for 35% of allfactors that cause crashes involving injuries or death inSaskatchewan.

Doing two things at once isn’t such a big deal. We do it all thetime – walking and talking, jogging and listening to music, orsinging and dancing.

However, driving requires you to do more than two things atonce – steering, braking, shifting gears and watching for traffic alloccur at the same time. When you add distractions like eating,grooming or talking on cellular phones, the results can bedisastrous. Drivers should devote their full attention to driving.Some of the most common driver distractions include persons,objects or events outside the vehicle, distraction from passengers,looking for or at something in the vehicle, adjusting radio, climateor vehicle controls, smoking and eating or drinking.

Deliberately creating loud and unnecessary noise with a motorvehicle is not permitted.

Cellular phones

Using a hand-held cellphone while driving is prohibited inSaskatchewan for:

• making or receiving phone calls

• sending, receiving or reading text messages

• sending, receiving or reading emails

• surfing the Internet

• using 10-4 “push to talk” technology

Note: Hands-free cellphone devices are also prohibited for driversin the Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) program.

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Basic information and rules of the road33.1 Speed 3.2 Care and attention

Hand-free use of cellphones while driving is allowed forexperienced drivers*, including:

• devices that clip to the visor

• headsets, either wired or wireless

• voice-activated devices

• devices built into the vehicle, such as OnStar or those withBluetooth technology

• Bluetooth earpieces

• one-touch activication of a speakerphone feature on a cellphoneplaced within easy reach

• making 9-1-1 calls on cellphones while driving for both new andexperienced drivers

• making a call on a cellphones when parked on the side of theroad, for both new and experienced drivers

*Experienced drivers are drivers who are not in the GDL program.

3.3 STOPPING AND PARKING

You must move as far to the right as possible when stopping on aroad.

When stopping on a rural road or highway you must be 30 m (98 ft.) away from any vehicle stopped on the opposite side of theroad or highway.

Vehicles stopped on rural roads or highways at night must bemarked with flares, hazard lights or reflectors. You must not tamperwith the devices used to mark stopped vehicles.

You must come to a complete stop at all stop signs and at railwaycrossings where signals or gates are activated. After stopping, youmay only proceed from a stop sign, or a railway crossing withoutgates, when it is safe to do so. You must also stop when signaled toby a police officer or a flagperson.

You must not park where painted curbs or signs prohibit parking.

Basic information and rules of the road

3.3 Stopping and parking3

21

3.2 Care and attention

Truck drivers have problems seeing smaller vehicles. Although theyhave mirrors that help them to see each side, you may not bevisible to the driver if you follow too closely. (Besides, you can’t seeanything yourself.) Realize that in poor weather, exterior mirrorsbecome spotted with rain and dirt and the truck driver does nothave an interior mirror. Be sure to make yourself visible. Drive withyour headlights on.

The driver of a large truck or bus has difficulty turning sharpcorners, particularly to the right. If the driver follows the properprocedure, vehicles facing him on the street he is entering shouldbe prepared for the large truck or bus to enter their half of theroadway. If the large truck operator is not following the properprocedure, vehicles on his right in the street he is leaving shouldstay well back to avoid being crushed between the large truck andthe curb. When you see a large truck or bus making a sharp rightturn, give it the room it needs.

22

Basic information and rules of the road33.4 Sharing the road

3.4 SHARING THE ROAD

You have to share the road with people who drive a variety of vehicles. The more you know about the particular driving requirements ofdifferent vehicles, the better equipped you’ll be to share the road and predict the actions of other drivers.

Sharing the road with large trucksThe large truck is a special vehicle. Its motor is notmuch larger than a large car engine and yet the loadit carries can be 50 or more times the weight of acar. When accelerating up to speed, truck drivers useup to 18 gear changes. Once they get into top gear,they do not appreciate having to start again.Therefore, avoid forcing a truck driver to slow down.

Large trucks will decrease speed when going uphill.You can expect truck drivers to pick up speed whengoing down hills to help them get up the other side.Plan your passing manoeuvre accordingly.

It takes longer to stop a large truck than a car, so atruck driver needs a longer following distance to besafe and in control. Do not cut in front of a largetruck immediately after you have passed it.

All drivers should avoid a large truck’s “no-zone.” The no-zone refersto the blindspot areas around big trucks, where crashes are mostlikely to occur. Just like cars, large trucks have blindspots on bothsides, but a large truck’s are considerably bigger. These blindspotscan mean trouble if a trucker decides to change lanes and a car isin the blindspot. In addition to the blindspots on the sides of alarge truck, drivers should be careful around the front end of largetrucks.

Truckers sit up high and the hood of the cab obscures part of theroad ahead. This is why when drivers in a car are passing a largetruck, they should make sure they can see the entire truck cab intheir rear-view mirror before pulling in front. If a car cuts in toosoon, truck drivers are forced to react with little time or room tospare. Large trucks also have deep rear blindspots. A good rule ofthumb is that if you can’t see the large truck’s mirrors, the truckdriver can’t see you.

23


3.4 Sharing the road3

them. Be alert for motorcycles that do not have their headlightson. During motorcycle season, check twice before making a lanechange or turn – once for cars and trucks, and once formotorcycles and bikes.

The same three-second following distance should be given tomotorcycles as is given to other vehicles. Following too closely maycause a motorcycle rider’s attention to be distracted from the roadand traffic ahead.

Motorcyclists are allowed to ride two abreast but most ridersprefer to have a full lane width. A skilled motorcyclist isCONSTANTLY CHANGING positions within a lane to increase hisability to see and be seen, and to avoid objects on the road. Nevermove into the same lane with a motorcycle, even if the lane iswide and the cyclist is riding to one side. It is not only illegal, it isextremely hazardous. When overtaking a motorcycle or bicycle inyour lane, you must pass in the same manner as you would pass acar.

Bad weather and slippery surfaces cause greater problems formotorcycles than for cars. Allow more following distance formotorcycles when the road surface is wet and slippery. Theseconditions create stability problems.

Being aware of these situations can help you share the road safelywith ALL cyclists.

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Sharing the road with snow plows

• Slow down – STAY BACK and STAY ALIVE whenyou approach the “mini blizzard” created by asnow plow.

• Snow plows are on highways to clear snow and ice– not get in your way.

• Drivers must slow to 60 km/h when passingMinistry of Highways and Infrastructureequipment with warning lights in operation,whether in motion or not.

• Snow plows must travel slower than averagetraffic. Be patient and proceed with caution.

• Plows pull over about every 10 km to allow driversto pass. Wait and pass when it is safe to do so.

• Department crews clear major highways within sixhours of the end of a storm to make winterdriving safe. Please give them room to work.

Sharing the road with motorcycles

When a motorcycle and a four-wheel vehicle collide,the motorcyclist is at a high risk for being killed orseverely injured. Since motor cycles are more agilethan cars, their actions are more difficult to predictand their size makes them hard to see.

Most motorcycles are wired so that their headlightsare on at all times, making it easier for you to see

25



Sharing the road with bicycles

Bicycles are vehicles. More and more people are usingbicycles for transportation, not only for recreationalpurposes, but increasingly for getting to and fromwork.

Drivers of motor vehicles must learn to share the roadwith bicycles. Cyclists are not permitted to use thesidewalk. Therefore, motorists must realize that cyclistsare required to use traffic lanes.

Sharing the road with farm equipment andoverwidth vehicles

Saskatchewan’s agricultural base means that farmequipment such as combines, tractors, large cultivators,etc. may be on highways and grid roads from earlyspring until late fall.

These vehicles create a hazard, as they travel veryslowly – 10 to 30 km/h. Therefore, you may comeupon them very quickly and you will need to stop orchange lanes rapidly.

Sharing the road with snowmobiles

If snowmobiles were always operated according to the law, therewould be little chance of conflict with other vehicles on the streetsand highways. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.

Snowmobiles are difficult to see because they are small and low.These features, accompanied by exposure to weather, also make itdifficult for the snowmobile operator to see. As snowmobiles areuseful in storms, they are likely to be out when visibility is poor.

Finally, young children with little road experience operatesnowmobiles. When you see a snowmobile, anticipate that it maycross the road suddenly, or go out of control, and decide how youwill react.

In some municipalities, local bylaws permit snowmobiles to beoperated on the street.

When approaching a busthat has its stop arm outand its flashing lightsactivated, as a driver:

• You must stop no closerthan 5 m (15 ft.) from thefront or back of the bus.

• You must not advanceyour vehicle until the busdriver turns off theflashing red stop lampsand deactivates the stop arm.

• Before moving, check to see that all children have safely crossedthe roadway.

Passing a school bus with flashing lights is a serious offence andwill result in a minimum fine of $335. You do not have to stop for aschool bus if you are travelling in the opposite direction on adivided highway. Some cities, towns and villages may have a bylawprohibiting the use of flashing red stop lamps and stop arms onschool buses. In those communities you are allowed to pass thebus. Drivers are not required to stop for buses displaying four-wayhazard lamps, however, use caution, go slowly and always watchfor children crossing.

26


Sharing the road with school buses

School bus drivers have a difficult job. There areplenty of distractions inside the bus. Knowing this,you should make extra allowances, and be aware ofthe possibility that the bus driver may not see youor your signals. Rear-end collisions are the mostfrequent type of crash involving school buses andare usually caused by another driver failing to stopwhile the bus is loading or unloading passengers.

When approaching a school bus, begin to slow downas soon as the flashing red stop lamps come on, sothe bus driver can see that you are going to stop. Ifyou are behind the bus you may not pass once theflashing lights are activated. If you are approachingthe bus from the opposite direction and you are tooclose to stop, you may pass the bus if you do sobefore the stop arm is extended. The single greatestthreat to the safety of children who ride schoolbuses is motorists who pass the bus when childrenare loading or unloading.

27



Sharing the road with emergency vehicles

All emergency vehicles (fire engines, police vehicles andambulances) have the right of way when displayingflashing lights and using sirens (sound devices).

• When approached by an emergency vehicle with itslights flashing or sirens engaged, you mustimmediately drive as closely as possible to the rightedge of the roadway and not enter the next inter -section until the emergency vehicle has passed. Theonly exception is if a peace officer gives you otherdirections. On one-way streets, pull right or left tothe nearest curb.

• At an intersection, you must stop and let theemergency vehicle through the intersection, unlessgiven other directions by a peace officer.

If the emergency vehicle has its lights flashing, but nosiren engaged, motorists in the vicinity should extendthe same privilege as previously mentioned whilemeeting or being overtaken by the emergency vehicle.

• When an emergency vehicle is stopped on the highwaywith its emergency lights in operation, you must slowdown to 60 km/h when passing it. This does not apply tovehicles travelling in the opposite direction on a dividedhighway. However, this does apply when travelling inthe opposite direction on an undivided highway.

• Never attempt to follow an emergency vehicle going to, orcoming from, an emergency.

Sharing the road with tow trucks

When a vehicle used exclusively for towing or rendering assistanceis stopped on a highway with its amber lights in operationrendering assistance to a disabled vehicle, drivers must slow to 60km/h when passing. This does not apply to vehicles travelling in theopposite direction on a divided highway. However, this does applywhen travelling in the opposite direction on an undivided highway.

Sharing the road with funeral processions

Funeral processions have special privileges and should not beinterfered with or interrupted. They must, however, obey all trafficsigns and signals – unless all drivers with the right of way stop topermit the procession to proceed.

3.5 THE CONCEPT OF GATES

The concept of “gates” is introduced to help you understand how to deal withvehicles around you.

Imagine four gates surround your vehicle at all times. One gate is located infront of the vehicle, one is behind and one is on each side of the vehicle.

When you are travelling alone in the centrelane of a road where there are three lanesprovided in the direction that you aretravelling, all four gates are open to you. Thismeans you can move ahead, slow down anddrop back, or move to your right or left, andstill continue uninterrupted movement.

If a gate is open you can drive into it wheneveryou want to. A safe driver always tries to haveat least two open gates to provide options foremergency movement.

Basic information and rules of the road33.5 The concept of gates

28

29

If a gate is closed – by another vehicle, a curb, a guardrail or evendeep snow – you lose the opportunity to move into the area thatgate controls.

Check your mirrors to ensure you know which gates are open. Youneed to check your inside mirror and your left outside mirror often.When you are a more experienced driver, start using your rightmirror, if you have one.

While you are not required to identify a vehicle in detail, youshould know whether the rear gate is open so that you could dropback if you wished.

If the vehicle behind you is tailgating, then your rear gate is closed.You need to leave extra following distance ahead to allow room ifyou have to stop. Increase your following distance to five or sixseconds. (See “Using time to estimate your following distance,” page 83.)

How often you check your mirrors depends upon the number oflanes and the amount of traffic. If you have ever been surprised bya vehicle overtaking you, then you are not looking in your mirrorsoften enough.


3.5 The concept of gates3

30

3.6 BLIND SPOTS

A blind spot is an area alongside your vehicle that you can’t seewhen using any of your mirrors. It’s important to check these“blind spots” to ensure your side gates are open, particularly if youare going to change lanes.

A quick glance over your shoulder, or “shoulder check,” can allowyou to see the entire side gate area of your vehicle, which could bea blind spot.

Shoulder check your blind spot for the gate you are driving into.For the left side, turn your head left until you are looking alongyour shoulder. You are checking to see if there is a vehicle closingyour gate. If there is something there, do not try to move into thatspace. To check the right side, you need to turn your head to theright.

For your own safety and the safety of other motorists, it is veryimportant that you don’t drive in other drivers’ blind spots. Moveforward, or drop back, as soon as you notice this situation.

The blind spot can be significantly reduced if your mirrors areproperly adjusted (see page 99).

BLIND SPOT

BLIND SPOT

Basic information and rules of the road33.6 Blind spots

31

3.7 DIRECTIONAL DIVIDING LINES

Yellow directional dividing lines separatetraffic travelling in opposite directions.

White line markings are used to separatetraffic travelling in the same direction.

Vehicle A may pass if the road is clear ahead and behind.

Vehicle A must not pass or make a left turn between intersections.


3.7 Directional dividing lines3

32

3.8 TRAFFIC LANES

On roads with marked lanes, you must travel entirely in one lane.Where there are no lane lines marked, you should travel as if therewere markings there. Changing lanes is permitted only when safeto do so.

Where a solid line separates lanes, you may not move across thesolid line. The only exceptions are double lines in the centre of ahighway where the line nearest you is a broken line (see thepreceding illustrations) or centre turning lanes (see page 44).

3.9 LANE POSITION

On highways or rural roads, keep to the right of your lane.

In urban areas, you will usually drive in the middle of the lane.However, your position in the lane should allow you to see asmuch as possible.

Your lane position provides information to other drivers. If youintend to turn left, move to the left side of the lane. If you aregoing to turn right, move to the right side of the lane, but becareful to leave enough room for passing parked vehicles.

At some intersections, signs or traffic lights indicate two or morelanes may be used to complete a turn. At these locations, you mustapproach the intersection and complete the turn in the samerelative lane position.

Basic information and rules of the road33.8 Traffic lanes 3.9 Lane position

33

3.10 LANE SELECTION

Choose the driving lane that gives you the best vision and allowsyou to keep the maximum number of gates open.

• On slippery surfaces, pick the part of the lane that offers themost traction.

• When turning at intersections, choose the lane that the law saysyou must take. (See “Turning,” page 38.) On a divided highwayuse the left lane to approach a left turn off the highway.

• On a multi-lane divided highway, slower vehicles should travel inthe right-hand lanes. Just because you are driving at the speedlimit, you are not entitled to “camp” in the left lane. This forcesother drivers to pass on the right, which is not as safe as passingon the left. The habit also makes it much more difficult to predictwhat everyone else is going to do to get around you.

It is not a good practice to drive on the shoulder portion of theroad. The area of the roadway to the right of the solid white line isdesigned for stopped vehicles. As well, the shoulder can be used foremergency manoeuvres. The shoulder should not be considered anextra driving lane. Some highways have rumble strips on theshoulder, and in some cases on the centre line, to alert driverswhen they drift out of their lane.

3.11 SIGNALLING

You must turn on your signal lights in advance of your turn or lanechange. A good rule when driving at speeds under 60 km/h is tosignal at least 30 m before turning. At higher speeds, signal at least150 m from the corner.

When changing lanes, you must signal and do mirror and shoulderchecks before you begin to move out of your lane.

If your signal lights or brake lights fail, these hand signals must beused.

Left turn


3.10 Lane selection 3.11 Signalling3

34

Turn signals

When you use turn signals, you are saying, “I intend to turn orchange lanes.” If you wait until you are actually turning or changinglanes before you signal, you are not telling other drivers what youintend to do. They can already see that you are turning.

The procedure when you plan to turn or change lanes:

1. Assuming that you know the status of your gates and areproperly positioned for the turn, signal.

2. Check your mirror.

3. Shoulder check your blind spot for the gate you are moving into.

4. Start the turn or lane change.

Right turn

Stopping or slowing abruptly

Basic information and rules of the road33.11 Signalling

35

3.12 CHANGING LANES

The procedure for changing lanes:

1. Determine the need to change lanes well in advance. Make sureyou know the conditions of your gate.

2. Signal your intention to change lanes.

3. Check your mirrors to see that the gate is open and that no oneelse is moving into it.

4. Shoulder check to look for vehicles or obstructions in your blindspot.

5. Look where you want the vehicle to go and steer there.

6. Accelerate gently and steer the vehicle to the position whereyou are looking.

7. When you are almost completely in the new lane, look ahead toa point where you propose to drive and your steering will adjust.

8. Cancel signal. Check the condition of your new gates. Adjustyour speed.

When moving through more than a single lane, make the changeas one continual action. Only one signal and one shoulder checkare needed.


3.12 Changing lanes3

36

3.13 PASSING

When meeting other vehicles, you must keep to the right of thecentre line of the roadway.

Head-on collisions are usually fatal. Driver impairment (fatigue,alcohol, etc.) or driver errors, such as faulty judgment ortechniques while passing, are usually to blame for these crashes.

When passing, it is very important keep the time spent on thewrong side of the road to a bare minimum.

When passing:

1. Make sure the pass is legal and safe. Do not cross solid, ordouble solid, yellow lines. Do not pass on the crest of a hill,before a curve, at intersections or any place where your sightdistance is limited.

2. Maintain a three-second distance between you and the vehicleyou are following. (See “Using time to estimate your followingdistance,” page 83.) When you decide to pass, accelerate to buildup speed before passing. The greater the difference in speedbetween you and the vehicle you are passing, the shorter yourpassing time will be.

3. Continue to accelerate throughout the entire pass. Do not slowdown until you are back in your original lane and well in front of

the vehicle you have just passed. Keep in mind that it is illegalto speed even when passing.

4. Wait until you see the vehicle being passed in your inside rear-view mirror before pulling back into your travelling lane.

NOTE:At high speeds, the lane change is more gradual and takeslonger to complete.

When passing other vehicles, you must always pass on the leftexcept:

• where there are two or more traffic lanes in your direction oftravel

• any time the vehicle ahead is about to make a left turn and it ispossible to pass safely on the right without driving on theshoulder

When being passed by another vehicle, stay to the right of yourlane and do NOT speed up until the passing vehicle is back in thenormal driving lane.

Basic information and rules of the road33.13 Passing

37

Major centres often have designated busand/or bicycle lanes. For example, the Cityof Regina has bus lanes. Bus lanes aremarked by a lane sign that indicates thetime and days of operation of therestriction. The sign has a diamond on it, aswell as a bus symbol. In some centres, thelane itself has diamond markings installedin the pavement. On the designated streets, curb lanes arereserved for transit vehicles during the rush hour, or peak drivingtimes. In Regina, bus lanes are in operation Monday to Friday from7 to 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. During these times, no one is

3.14 BUS LANES AND BICYCLE LANES

allowed to operate a vehicle, other than a bus or an emergencyvehicle, in the designated curb lane, except for the purpose ofmaking a right turn onto, or off of, a street block where a bus laneis in effect. Only buses, emergency vehicles or accessible taxicabsloading or unloading non-ambulatory passengers are allowed tostop in a designated bus lane.

Bicycle-only lanes are dedicated for cyclists and are similar to buslanes. Vehicles are not allowed in bicycle-only lanes except for thepurpose of making a right turn, accessing a parking space orentering a lane or driveway.

This sign indicates the street you are turning to has a designated lane.


3.14 Bus lanes and bicycle lanes3

38

3.15 TURNING

Right turns

When approaching an intersection or driveway that requires aright-hand turn, move as close to the right curb or right edge ofthe road as possible.

General procedure:

1. Decide to make your right turn well in advance of the turn.Signal, check your rear gate and check your blind spot. Whensafe, move as close to the right as possible.

2. Check for traffic, pedestrians and other real or potential hazardsin or near the intersection. A basic left, straight ahead, right, leftsweeping pattern will be sufficient.

3. Slow down (and shift to a lower gear if you are in a manualtransmission vehicle).

4. Check again for real or potential hazards.

5. If there are no potential hazards, complete your right turn intothe first available driving lane.

Basic information and rules of the road33.15 Turning

39

It is the driver’s responsibility to move asclose to the right curb, or right edge of theroad, as possible.

When a vehicle is parked in the laneclosest to the right curb and near theintersection, the driver must move intothat lane at the first opportunity beforeturning.

Drivers may not make turns from the maindriving lane.

Incorrect Correct


3.15 Turning3

40

Left turns

Left turns are more dangerous than right turns because you have to cross traffic coming from atleast two directions. This means that your searching pattern is very important and you shouldcontinue to search as you cross the intersection.

When making a left turn, you must approach the intersection and complete the turn in the left-most lane available for your direction of travel.

General procedure:

1. If a lane change is required, decide well in advance to make your left turn. Signal and check yourrear gate and blind spot to see if there is a vehicle close to you. Move safely into the left side ofthe left lane.

2. Check for traffic, pedestrians and any other real or potential hazards that may be in or near the intersection. Use the basic left, straight ahead, right, left sweeping pattern.

3. Slow down (and shift to a lower gear if you are driving a manual transmission vehicle).

4. Check again for real or potential hazards. Make sure you identify oncoming traffic.

5. If you have to stop in the intersection to wait for oncoming traffic, be sure to keep your vehicle parallel to the lane and your front wheels straight. That way if you are hit from behind, you will not be pushed in the path of oncoming traffic.


41

6. If there are no potential hazards, complete your left turn intothe first available driving lane.

A left turn from a one-way street to a two-way street should bemade from a point as close as possible to the left edge of theroadway. Enter the two-way street into the lane immediately tothe right of the centre line. If there are no parked cars in the curblane it is appropriate to move into that lane in advance of thecorner. If there is a car in the lane be sure the driver is turning andnot pulling over to park.


3.15 Turning3

42

For a left turn from a one-way street to a one-way street, start theturn from the left edge of the roadway and complete the turn in theextreme left driving lane.

When a vehicle is parked in a lane closest to the left curb and nearthe intersection, the driver must move into that lane at the firstopportunity before turning.


For a left turn from a two-way street to a one-way street, turn fromthe lane next to the centre line and enter the one-way street into thefirst available driving lane.

43


3.15 Turning3

44

3.16 CENTRE TURNING LANES

This sign indicates a two-way left turninglane. These are used in many communities,especially larger centres, to improve trafficflow and to allow for easier access toproperties in mid-block.

The diagram indicates the correct turningprocedure. Here are some other points to keepin mind when using centre turning lanes:

• Enter the two-way left turning lane only at the point adjacent tothe property you want to access (see arrow for car A).

• Left turns from either direction may be made from the two-wayleft turning lane.

• These lanes also allow for left turns from a driveway (see arrowfor car B).

• The centre turning lanes may not be used as a passing lane or asa driving lane.

• Where a centre turning lane is provided, you may not make a leftturn from any other lane.

CENTRE LANE

Basic information and rules of the road33.16 Centre turning lanes

45

3.17 RIGHT OF WAY

Uncontrolled intersections

At an intersection where there are nostop signs, yield signs, traffic lights orpolice directing traffic, and two vehiclesapproach the intersection at the sametime from right angles, the vehicle onthe left must yield the right of way tothe vehicle on the right.

This rule also applies to Tintersections.


3.17 Right of way3

When entering a provincial highway from any other road, you must yield the right ofway to any vehicles travelling on the provincial highway and to any pedestrianclosely approaching the intersection.

When turning left, you must yield the rightof way to any vehicles coming toward youif they are close enough that your turnwould interfere with them.

Basic information and rules of the road33.17 Right of way

46

At any intersection where a yield sign is present, drivers facing thesign must yield the right of way to any other motorist approachingthe intersection.

When entering a street, road or highway from a private road, laneor alley, you must yield the right of way to any pedestrians on thesidewalk and to any vehicles on the street, road or highway.

At three- and four-way stops, courtesy dictates that the firstvehicle that stops should be given the right of way.

You must yield the right of way to any highway construction ormaintenance vehicles that have their warning lights in operation.

In all the above cases, you may not proceed until it is safe.

All drivers have a moral and legal responsibility to avoid collisions.If you have the right of way at an intersection and a driver refusesto yield to you, you are responsible from a safety standpoint toavoid a collision, rather than insist upon your right of way.

Don’t forget the old adage – “You could be right – dead right.”


3.17 Right of way3

47

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3.18 STOPPING POSITIONS

There are several different situations you may encounter whenpreparing to stop at an intersection with a stop sign. Where youshould stop, your stopping position, is determined by markings onthe road. You must stop:

At the nearest crosswalk, whether marked or not.

Basic information and rules of the road33.18 Stopping positions

49

At a clearly marked stop line. Where there is no stop line or crosswalk:•Within three metres of the intersection in a town, city,

village or hamlet.•Within 10 metres of the intersection in a rural area.


3.18 Stopping positions3

50

3.19 TRAFFIC CIRCLES

In a traffic circle, the vehicle on the rightmust yield to the vehicle on the left.

In the diagram, traffic indicated by red arrowsin yellow lanes must yield to traffic indicatedby white arrows in green lanes. Traffic enteringthe circle must yield to traffic in the circle.

In this diagram:

• B and C must yield to A.

• E must yield to D while F and D proceed.

• H must yield to G.

When you are leaving the traffic circle use yourright-turn signal to warn other drivers of yourintention to exit.

It is recommended that for safety, entry intothe right lane be used mainly when intendingto exit at the first available exit point. If you areintending to proceed beyond the second exit, itis recommended that you drive in the left lane.

Basic information and rules of the road33.19 Traffic circles

51

3.20 HIGHWAYS

Driving to the left of centre

You may not drive to the left of the roadway centre on two-waystreets, roads or highways unless it is safe and there is no trafficapproaching.

One-way highways

You may not travel in the wrong direction on a one-way highway.

Controlled access highways

In the case of controlled access highways or freeways, you may notenter or leave except at the exit or entrance provided.

3.21 PEDESTRIANS

When approaching an intersection, you must yield the right of wayto any pedestrians who are crossing the street. This does not applyto wide streets if the pedestrians are at a safe distance from yourside of the street.

You must stop your vehicle before the crosswalk, which will eitherbe painted on the road or be an imaginary extension of thesidewalk.

You must stop your vehicle when directed to do so by a schoolcrossing guard controlling a crosswalk.

You may not pass any vehicle that is stopped at an intersectionto permit pedestrians to cross.

As a pedestrian, you must not attempt to cross at an intersectionunless you have given motorists a chance to stop.

Pedestrians walking along a road should walk on the left shoulder,facing oncoming traffic. The only exception is when a pedestrian isherding a farm animal(s).

NOTE: Pedestrians also include persons in wheelchairs, motorizedwheelchairs and medical scooters.

3.22 CROSSING URBAN STREETS

You may drive across a street only at an intersection, lane or alley.

NOTE: In some cities, crossing a street at a lane or alley isprohibited by a local bylaw.


3.20 Highways 3.21 Pedestrians3

3.22 Crossing urban streets

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3.23 WHEELCHAIRS AND MEDICAL SCOOTERS

The rules of the road that apply to pedestrians also apply topersons using a wheelchair, motorized wheelchair or medicalscooter for medical reasons.

When approaching an intersection, you must yield the right of wayto any person crossing the street who is using a wheelchair,motorized wheelchair or medical scooter. This does not apply towide streets if the person in the wheelchair is at a safe distancefrom your side of the street.

You must stop your vehicle before the crosswalk, which will either bepainted on the road or be an imaginary extension of the sidewalk.

You may not pass any vehicle that is stopped at an intersectionto permit persons using wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs ormedical scooters to cross.

Persons in wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs or medical scootersmust not attempt to cross at an intersection unless they havegiven motorists a chance to stop.

The sidewalk should always be the first choice while using awheelchair, motorized wheelchair or medical scooter.Whenthere is no wheelchair accessible curb, get onto the sidewalk usingthe first available driveway.

Like pedestrians, persons using wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairsor medical scooters travelling along a road where no sidewalkexists should travel on the left shoulder, facing oncoming traffic.Wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs or medical scooters shouldalso have a brightly coloured flag attached to increase visibility tomotorists.

Basic information and rules of the road33.23 Wheelchairs and medical scooters

53

3.24 MOTORCYCLES

Although two motorcycles are permitted to drive in the sametraffic lane, it is not recommended practice to operate directlyalongside another motorcycle.

Motorcycles may not travel beside any other type of vehicle in thesame lane.

Drivers and passengers must wear helmets. If the motorcycle doesnot have a windshield that deflects the air stream away from thedriver’s face, drivers and passengers must wear safety glasses, aface shield or goggles.

For further information, refer to the Motorcycle Handbook.

3.25 MEDIANS

Where a median, boulevard or ditch divides a road, you may notdrive on the left side of it.

You may not cross any median, boulevard or ditch except at anintersection or where a cross-over is provided.

Incorrect Correct


3.24 Motorcycles3

3.25 Medians

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3.26 PARKING LOTS

Many rules of the road that apply to highways and streets alsoapply to parking lots, such as right of way, speed, traffic controlsigns, following too closely, proper turn signals and backing.

Wherever traffic intersects in a parking lot and there are no yield orstop signs, it must be treated as an uncontrolled intersection.

For example, when approaching an uncontrolled intersection in aparking lot, you must always yield to the vehicle on the right. Thisrule applies even if you are travelling on what you believe to be themain roadway of the parking lot.

As well, a driver leaving a parking space must yield to a drivergoing through the lot.

Basic information and rules of the road33.26 Parking lots

3.27 HEADLIGHTS

It is advisable to have your lights on at all times because studies show thatvehicles driven with lights on at all times are much less likely to be involved incollisions than those operated with their lights on at night only.

The law requires the use of headlights from half an hour after sunset until half anhour before sunrise, and at any time when visibility is poor.

NOTE: Some vehicles do not have tail lamps on when daytime running lights arebeing used.

When meeting another vehicle, you must dim your headlights at least 200 m (650 ft.) in advance of oncoming vehicles and keep them dimmed until the vehiclehas passed.

Also, turn off any spotlamps at least 500 m (1,640 ft.) in advance of an oncomingvehicle and keep them turned off until the vehicle has passed.

You are not required to dim your headlights for oncoming traffic if you are drivingon a divided highway where the distance between the roadways is 22 m (70 ft.) ormore.

You must keep your headlights on low beam within 100 m (330 ft.) and keep anyspotlamps or auxiliary driving lights turned off within 500 m (1,640 ft.) when youare following another vehicle, or when you are being passed.

Low beams

Low beams

High beams


3.27 Headlights3

55

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3.28 NIGHT DRIVING AND LOW VISIBILITY

Driving at night is difficult because the area illuminated by yourheadlights is not all you need to see. If street lamps provideoverhead lighting, you can see well ahead. If not, you must rely onyour headlights. While driving at night, you should be able to seeabout 12 seconds travelling distance in front of you. This meansthat most of the time, you should be using your high beam

headlights and be looking beyond the part of the road illuminatedby your lights.

To reduce glare from other vehicles or lights to the rear, adjustyour mirror or use a day-night mirror turned to “night.” Dimmingthe dash lights will also improve your ability to see the road.

12 seconds 12 seconds

Basic information and rules of the road33.28 Night driving and low visibility

57

3.29 CHOOSING THE RIGHT SPEED

Most people do not drive at night with 12 seconds view ahead;they just hope they will reach their destination safely. In otherwords, they are over-driving their headlights. This means by thetime their headlights illuminate an object on the road they will beunable to stop before hitting it. This makes it critical to use all theother information available.

Pay attention to other vehicles on the road, which can give youclues.

If you can see the rear lights of the vehicle in front, you can be surethat no large object is between the two of you.

The most important action that you can take at night is to slowimmediately when you detect something on the road ahead. Donot wait until you can see the object clearly - by that time, it willprobably be too late to stop. As soon as you see something on theroad, use your brakes so that you are slowing down whileidentifying what it is. You will then have more time to stop orchange your direction if the need arises.

3.30 WHEN TO DIM YOUR HEADLIGHTS

Many drivers make the error of dimming their headlights too soonfor oncoming vehicles.

When driving at 100 km/h, you may not have to dim your highbeams until the approaching vehicle is about four seconds awayfrom you, but a realistic approach is to dim your lights betweeneight and 12 seconds away.

While you need to see the road, you should not blind theoncoming driver with the glare of your lights. You may find thatsome drivers approaching you will signal you to lower your lightswhile they are up to 20 seconds away. This applies to vehicles youare meeting and vehicles you are following. To avoid blinding otherdrivers, make sure your headlights are properly adjusted and are inworking order.

If you have been driving in the dark for a while, you will need up tofive seconds to recover from the glare of oncoming lights. Thisglare recovery time tends to increase with age to the point whereit sometimes takes up to 25 seconds to recover. If you suspect youhave a glare recovery problem, check with an ophthalmologist oroptometrist.


3.29 Choosing the right speed 3.30 When to dim your headlights3

58

3.31 RULES RELATED TO VEHICLES

Tampering with a vehicle without the owner’s permission is notpermitted.

Climbing into or on a vehicle without the owner’s permission is notpermitted.

Throwing objects at a vehicle is not permitted.

You may not watch a television, video screen or computer screenwhen driving unless the information displayed is solely designed toassist you in the safe operation of the vehicle.

All material carried on a vehicle must be securely contained or tieddown so that it cannot fall off the vehicle.

Damages resulting from any of the above infractions may have tobe paid for by the offender.

Unless you are riding in or on the vehicle, you must not hold ontoa moving vehicle.

Passengers may not ride in a trailer.

The use of hand-held cellular phones while driving is prohibited,(see page 20).

No one may ride on the exterior of a vehicle unless there is a spacedesigned for passengers. This does not apply to construction, main -tenance, firefighting, police or parade vehicles.

Passengers are not permitted to ride between the driver and thedriver’s door.

Passengers must not crowd the driver.

Drivers must have a clear view of the road to the front, sides andrear. Aftermarket tinting is not allowed on the windshield or frontside windows.

No pedestrian, passenger or driver shall perform any stunt oractivity that is likely to distract, startle or interfere with any otheruser of the road.

Dropping burning material or material that could damage tiresonto a road is not permitted.

Vehicles must display a valid licence plate firmly secured to therear of the vehicle and not obstructed in a manner that preventsthe plate from being read or accurately photographed by a redlight camera.

Basic information and rules of the road33.31 Rules related to vehicles

59

4.1 TRAFFIC SIGNS

Many collisions and near crashes occur as a result of drivers whoignore or fail to respond appropriately to traffic signs. It is essen tialthat the meaning of traffic signs be interpreted correctly. Signs areclassified according to their function such as regulatory, warningand information.

The easiest way to identify traffic signs is to learn to recognizetheir shapes and colours. For safe driving, you must recognize andobey traffic signs without hesitation.

A sign-conscious driver is a safe driver. Keep a constant look-outfor signs as you move your eyes in the field of view ahead of you.

4.2 SIX BASIC SIGN SHAPES EVERY DRIVER MUST KNOW

Stop

The stop sign, a red octagon with whitelettering, means come to a full stop and besure the way is clear before proceeding.

Regulatory

Regulatory signs are white rectangles orsquares with black or other colouredlettering. These signs state the law, such asspeed limits, parking regulations and turningand passing movements.

Traffic signs and signals 44.1 Traffic signs 4.2 Six basic sign shapes every driver must know

Traffic signs and signalsTraffic signs and signals

60

Yield

Yield Right of Way signs are triangular andhave a red border on a white background.

A yield sign means you must reduce speedwhen approaching an intersection. Give rightof way and stop if necessary if any othertraffic is in, or closely approaching, theintersection.

School Zone (New)

The new school zone signs have a pentagonshape, with a fluorescent yellow-greenbackground and show a black silhouette of aschoolboy and a schoolgirl.

School Zone (Old)

The old school zone sign has a pentagonshape, but with a blue background andshows a white silhouette of a schoolboy anda schoolgirl. These signs are currently beingreplaced.

School Zone

When this sign has a “Maximum Speed” or“km/h During School Days” tab mountedunderneath, it means the speed is to beobserved as indicated.

Warning

Warning signs are diamond shaped and are yellow or orange with black letters or symbols. They warn of dangerous or unusualconditions ahead, such as a curve, turn, dipor side road.

Railway Crossing

The crossbuck is the traditional symbol atroadway-railway crossings. The colour of thecrossbuck is the same as a yield sign and hasthe same meaning; give right of way andstop if necessary.

Traffic signs and signals44.2 Six basic sign shapes every driver must know

61

RedStop or prohibition

BlueGeneral information or service road information

GreenIndicates traffic movement such as turns whichare permitted or directional guidance

YellowGeneral warning danger/caution

Fluorescent yellowSchool zone and school crosswalk ahead signs

WhiteRegulatory

OrangeConstruction and maintenance warning

4.3 STANDARD SIGN COLOURS 4.4 REGULATORY SIGNS

One-way street or highway

Two-way traffic

The maximum speed allowed under idealconditions

Advance warning of a lower maximum speedzone ahead

Each colour has a particular meaning.

Traffic signs and signals 44.3 Standard sign colours 4.4 Regulatory signs

62

Do not enter Passing Permitted Passing Not Permitted

No heavy trucks are allowed on roadwayHeavy trucks should use this roadwayKeep to the right of traffic islands or obstruction

You must not turn your vehicle around inthe roadway to travel in the opposite

direction (no U-turn)

Dangerous goods route Dangerous goods carriers prohibited

Traffic signs and signals44.4 Regulatory signs

63

Truck inspection station

Parking allowed as indicated

Parking prohibited as indicated Stopping prohibited as indicated

Do not stop to wait

Truck inspection station exitArrow indicates which side of road

4.5 REGULATORY PARKING SIGNS

Weight limit of vehiclepermitted on highway orbridge expressed in tonnes

Traffic signs and signals 44.4 Regulatory signs 4.5 Regulatory parking signs

Over dimensional route

64

Pedestrian crosswalk (new)

P edestrian crosswalk (old) Bus lane

Pedestrian crosswalkTraffic must stop when lights are flashing and proceed when safe Bicycle lane

4.6 REGULATORY PEDESTRIAN CROSSING SIGNS 4.7 REGULATORY LANE DESIGNATION SIGNS

These signs may be mounted above (or to theside of) the roadway. When mounted above,each sign is centred over the lane it controls.

Traffic signs and signals44.6 Regulatory pedestrian crossing signs 4.7 Regulatory lane designation signs

School crosswalk (old)

School crosswalk (new)

65

This lane must turn left This lane left or right This lane must turn right

This lane right or through

Two-way left turn lane

This lane all movements

This lane through only

This lane left or through

Two turning lanes left/right

Traffic signs and signals 44.7 Regulatory lane designation signs

66

No left turn

No right turn

4.8 REGULATORY TURN CONTROL SIGNS

No turns Turn right only

Turn right or left Turn left only

No right turn on redWait for green light before making a right turn CENTRE

LANE

Centre turning lane

These signs may be accompaniedby a tab that indicates the sign isonly in effect during certain hoursof the day.

Traffic signs and signals44.8 Regulatory turn control signs

4.9 WARNING SIGNS – Modern traffic signs use symbols instead of words. However, drivers must be familiar with both types of signs.Where applicable, both signs are shown.

Stop sign ahead

Traffic signs and signals 44.9 Warning signs

Two-way traffic ahead

Dividedhighwayahead

ObstructionPass to either side

67

Divided highway beginsKeep to the right

Divided highway ends

Road surface slippery when wet

Section of roadway regularly crossed by deer

Traffic signalsaheadBe prepared to stop

Bump or rough road ahead

Steep hill aheadShift to lowergear orslow downif goingdown verysteep hill

Railway aheadRoad intersectswith rail tracks ahead at angle depicted

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Curve to the right ahead

Concealed or hiddenintersection aheadRoad from right and/or left

Underpass aheadOverhead clearance as shown

Road narrowsRoad ahead is not as wide as the road you are driving on

Reverse curve aheadTwo turns in oppositedirections separatedby a tangent of lessthan 120 m, firstturn right

Winding road aheadFirst curve right

Narrow bridge aheadWidth of pavement narrower than approach

Lane endsRight lane ends

Traffic signs and signals44.9 Warning signs

Sharp curve to theright ahead

Maximum advised speed(Recommended safespeed)

Snowmobile crossing ahead

Warns of T intersectionRoad turns sharply right and left

Cattle crossing ahead

Pavement endsContinuation has gravelsurface

Surface subject to icingBridge or roadway surface may beslippery at zero degrees Celsius˚, slow down

School bus stop aheadStop for bus with flashing lights

CheckerboardRoad ends

Added laneTwo roads converge andmerging movementsare not required

Two lanes merge aheadTraffic entering from right

Traffic signs and signals 44.9 Warning signs

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70

Chevron (arrowhead)Posted in groups to guidedrivers around sharpcurves in the road

Warning sign on overdimension loads oron escort vehicles

Hazard close to the edge ofthe roadThe downward lines showthe side on which you maysafely pass

School crosswalk aheadPlayground aheadWhen this sign has a km/h tab mounted underneath, it means that this speed is to be observed

Pedestrian crosswalk or corridor ahead

Slow moving vehicleMounted on the rear ofvehicles that travel atspeeds less than 40 km/h.It warns drivers approaching frombehind to slow down

Traffic signs and signals44.9 Warning signs

4.10 CONSTRUCTION SIGNS – Construction signs have black letters or symbols on an orange background.

Construction aheadThis sign indicates you areentering a con struction zone. Drive with extra caution and bepre pared for changes in thespeed limit

Pavement drop-offThis sign warns motorists that they are on or approaching a section of roadway where either the adjacentlane or shoulder or both arelower or higher than themotorist’s travel lane

Be prepared to stop ifyou are driving a vehiclewith a high load

Be prepared to stop

Truck entrance left/rightThe location at whichtrucks are entering, leaving or crossing

Traffic control person aheadBe prepared to stop forinstructions

Traffic signs and signals 44.10 Construction signs

71

The presence of one of theabove three signs designates the start of the orange zone. In this zonedrivers must slow to 60 km/h or less when passing a worker, flagperson orequipment occupied by a worker.

Survey crew ahead

People working

Some cities have bylaws requiring driversto obey orange zone speed signs throughthe entire construction area, whether ornot workers are present. Please be familiarwith the bylaws in your area.

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4.11 RAILWAY CROSSINGS

Drivers should check for trains at every crossing,even those equipped with automatic signals.

Never get trapped on a crossing

When traffic is heavy, wait on the approach to a crossing until you are sure you can clear it.

When the last car of a train passes the crossing, do not start up until you are sure no train is coming on another track, especially from the other direction.

Never race a train

Racing a train to the crossing is foolhardy. You may lose.

Avoid shifting gears on a crossing

If your vehicle has a manual transmission, shift down before the crossing.

Watch for vehicles that must stop at crossings

Be prepared to stop when you are following buses,school buses or large trucks that are required tostop.

Automatic protected crossings

Never drive around gates

If the gates are down, do not cross the tracks until the gates are raised. It is against the law to go around crossing gates.

Flashing lights

At crossings without gates, you may cross the tracks, after stopping, while the red lights are flashing if it is safe to do so. However, if a train is closely approaching, or if a signal person signals you to stop, you must stop and wait until it is safe to proceed. Some railway crossings may have an advance flashing amber light and sign warning of a train ahead at a concealed crossing.

Traffic signs and signals44.11 Railway crossings

73

Triangular reflective delineators can befound mounted on both sides of a signpost at many rural intersectionscontrolled by stop or yield signs.

They alert rural drivers to the fact theyare approaching an intersection andindicate the classification of the road asfollows:

Three delineators

• all provincial and public highways• community access roads

• grid roads• major streets

Two delineators

• main farm access roads

• improved all weather roads

• intermediate urban streets

One delineator

• all other minor rural roads and localurban streets

4.12 CROSSROAD DELINEATORS 4.13 GUIDE SIGNS

SASKATCHEWAN

Trans Canada Highway

Numbered Rural Municipal Route Marker

AirportPlane points direction to airport

Provincial Highway

Traffic signs and signals 44.12 Crossroad delineators 4.13 Guide signs

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4.14 INFORMATION SIGNS

FoodTrailer facilities Swimming

HospitalCamping Golf course

MuseumPolice Gasoline fuelDiesel fuel (D)

Picnic facilitiesTelephone Accommodation

Advance community sign with service tabs

Traffic signs and signals44.14 Information signs

75

When approaching a green light at an intersection, you may turnleft, right or drive straight through the intersection unless a signprohibits any of these movements.

If you want to turn left you can enter the intersection on a greenlight, but you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Iftraffic is heavy, you may be forced to complete your turn on anamber or red light.

You can often predict the appearance of an amber light by takingnote of how long the light has been green and by watching for the“don’t walk” light, especially if it is flashing.

4.15 TRAFFIC SIGNALS

When approaching an amber (yellow) light at an intersection, youmust stop before entering the crosswalk. If you have alreadyentered, or cannot stop safely, proceed with caution.

When approaching a red light, you must stop and remain stoppeduntil the light changes. If you are making a right turn at anintersection, you may make the turn, but only after stopping andyielding the right of way to pedestrians and to any vehiclestravelling through the intersection. This also applies to making aleft turn at the intersection of two one-way streets. Someintersections may have a sign prohibiting turns on red lights.

You may not make a U-turn at any inter-section where there are traffic lights unlessthere is a sign to indicate U-turns are permitted.

Traffic signs and signals 44.15 Traffic signals

76

When approaching a red light anda light with a solid green arrow,you may proceed in the directionof the arrow only after yielding theright of way to any other vehiclesand pedestrians.

When approaching a red orgreen light and a flashing green (left turn) arrow, youmay proceed in the direction of the green arrow. After theleft turn arrow, a yellow arrow mayappear. This means the green lightis about to appear for traffic inboth directions.

When approaching a flashing amber(yellow) light, you must proceed withcaution.

Alternating flashing amber lights maywarn you that traffic lights ahead are red

or about to turn red.

When approaching an amberlight, you must yield theright of way to any

pedestrians in the crosswalk orpedestrian corridor.

When approaching a flashing red lightyou must stop, but you may thenproceed when it is safe.

Pedestrians may not cross an inter -section when they are facing a red light,a yellow light or a “don’t walk” light orsymbol. A flashing “don’t walk” meanspedestrians should finish crossing thestreet if they have already started. Somesignals have a countdown showing howmany seconds remain before it is unsafe.

Traffic signs and signals44.15 Traffic signals

Real hazard

Basic driving skills

5.1 HAZARDS

A hazard is a source of danger. Whendriving, it is something that forces you tochange your speed (usually to slow down)or change your steering (usually to steeraround it) to avoid a collision.

Real and potential hazards

Examples of real hazards are: a stop light,a car moving slowly or stopping in yourlane, a curve that requires you to slowdown, a pedestrian or vehicle blockingyou.


5.1 Hazards5

77

Potential hazard

A potential hazard is something thatmight happen: a car signalling theintention to change lanes, a car on theshoulder that might pull out, a pedestrianwho might cross the road or a traffic lightthat might change.

These two types of hazards will be referredto frequently in the following sections.

5.2 THE IPDE METHOD OF DRIVING

We use the IPDE (Identify, Predict, Decide,Execute) approach to driving to deal withpotential and real hazards. IPDE defines the four steps involved.

IDENTIFY PREDICT DECIDE EXECUTE

Basic driving skills55.1 Hazards 5.2 The IPDE method of driving

78

Identify

The first step to good driving andavoiding collisions is to identify, well inadvance, real and potential hazards.

From the thousands of objects in yourfield of vision, you must learn to filterout those that do not provide you withinformation relevant to the drivingtask. For instance, although a red neonsign attached to a restaurant may catchyour eye, it is an unnecessary distractionbecause it is irrelevant to the drivingtask. You must search for real orpotential hazards (such as traffic lightsor children) and give them yourimmediate attention.

To use this information the hazard mustbe spotted in plenty of time. Therefore,make sure that you are in a goodposition to see.

Real hazardsFor a real hazard, such as a red light, stopsign or a stopped vehicle, you simplypredict whether or not the traffic lightwill change or the vehicle will remainstopped.

You will usually see real hazards in plentyof time and will have few problemspredicting what will happen. Althoughyou may be scanning the road properly, avehicle may suddenly stop right in frontof you. You will then have to quicklypredict what may happen in the next fewseconds.

Potential hazardEvery vehicle you share the road with isa potential hazard. Be aware of whereother drivers could go. Make your bestprediction of what they are likely to doand keep revising this prediction as youmove towards them. Pedestrians, cyclistsor children on the side of the road areoften potential hazards.

Predict the path of potential hazards. Thevehicle may make a right turn. The childmay run across the road.

The more often you practise predictingwhat may happen and what pedestriansand other drivers might do, the quicker youwill be able to make accurate predictions.

Predict

Step two is to predict what will happen should you encounter a real or potential hazard.


5.2 The IPDE method of driving5

79

Decide

Step three is to decide exactly what you will do to drive smoothly and deal withthe hazard. This means planning your actions in detail and checking to see that theway is clear to proceed.

Execute

The final step, to execute, means to carry outyour decision.

Executing some of your decisions will simplymean making a smooth stop at a traffic light.

Executing other decisions may involve usingtechniques for emergency driving.

To be good at executing your decisions,particularly emergency decisions, you need topractise in a safe situation, preferably with atrained instructor. Practice helps you overcomethe panic that usually arises the first time youare in an emergency.

Real hazardsYou may decide to simply brake gentlyor change lanes to avoid the hazard, oryou may want to brake hard, releasethe brakes and steer.

Potential hazardsWhen you encounter a potential hazard,you may decide to take no action andcontinue to monitor the actions ofother drivers, or you may decide totake action to avoid the other vehicles.

Consider the following steps before youtake any action:

1. Check that your chosen gate is stillopen.

2. Check the surface condition of theroadway for braking.

3. Check the shoulder and the ditch.

4. Continue to watch the vehicle anddecide whether you will take actionto avoid it.

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When you begin practising the IPDE method you will be slow andwill probably think in words. As you practise, you will becomefaster and begin to think in ideas and pictures. At this stage, youwill be able to carry out the entire procedure rapidly. You can cutyour reaction time by taking the time to practise the IPDE method.It may save your life.

Once you have been using IPDE for some time, much of youridentifying, predicting, deciding and executing will be carried outinstinctively.

You will need to use IPDE more often in heavier traffic and whenyou are driving at higher speeds.

You will find that your physical condition greatly affects yourability to handle IPDE. If you are tired or are ill, you should reducethe IPDE load by travelling at reduced speeds. You can reduce theIPDE load by avoiding heavy traffic. You might also consider notdriving.

Alcohol and other drugs make it very difficult to carry out the IPDE process. Since IPDE is designed to prevent you from havingcollisions, it is not surprising that a large number of crashes arealcohol- and drug-related.

5.3 TIME – THE KEY TO JUDGMENT

It is difficult to judge how far things are ahead of you. It’s evenmore difficult when both your vehicle and the object outside thevehicle are moving. For example, can you judge how far away thatapproaching car is?

We all have internal clocks. We all have an internal awareness oftime. Why not use time to measure how far ahead things are inday-to-day driving? You can do this by “counting” seconds.

To count time in seconds, say out loud, “Thou - sand and one, Thou- sand and two, Thou - sand and three,” at a normal speaking ratewithout pausing between the numbers. This will give you areasonably accurate count of three seconds.

Practise checking against your watch; you’ll be counting off perfectseconds in no time.

The language of time

The most important skill in driving is being able to use your eyeseffectively to seek out the information you need to drive. To usetime as the basis for all of your driving, with special emphasis onyour eye use, you need to understand the different ways ofestimating time.


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First, you must be able to estimate, while you are driving, how far stationaryobjects or fixed distances are from you. For example, the sign is nine secondsaway and at 100 km/h the spaces on the broken lines on the highway disappearabout 12 seconds ahead.

Estimate distance ahead in the following way:

1. Pick a stationary object that is on or near the road (for example: a sign,shadow, overpass or pavement patch).

2. Guess how many seconds the object is ahead.

3. Then start counting “Thou - sand and one, Thou - sand and two, Thou - sandand three,” etc.

4. When your front bumper is beside the object, stop counting. This will give youthe number of seconds between you and the object chosen. If you guessed 15seconds and the distance ahead is really eight seconds, then guess a lowernumber next time. Try for longer distance; see if you can guess how far away40 seconds is. This way you’ll improve your judgment.

5. Continue practising this exercise until you can judge time accurately.

The relationship between time and distance varies with speed. Therefore, begin bymaking all your judgments at the same speed. Then, practise at other speeds atwhich you most commonly drive, say 100, 80 and 50 km/h.

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Using time to estimate your following distance

When you are driving, estimate the distance between you and the vehicle in frontin the following way:

1. Pick something that is on or near the road and is not moving (for example, asign, pavement patch, shadow or overpass).

2. When the back bumper of the vehicle ahead is even with the object you havechosen, start counting – “Thou - sand and one, Thou - sand and two, Thou -sand and three,” etc.

3. When your front bumper is beside the object, stop counting. This will give youthe number of seconds between you and the vehicle you are following.

4. If you are closer than three seconds, drop back and check again until you haveachieved a minimum of three-seconds following distance. Any followingdistance longer than that is safe.


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You will notice that by keeping a three-second following distance,regardless of your speed, the distance between you and the vehiclein front will automatically lengthen as you go faster. So, for athree-second following distance at 100 km/h, you will be twice asfar back as you would be at 50 km/h and four times as far back asyou would be at 25 km/h.

There is one situation where a three-second following distance isnot enough. If you are following a large truck or van that blocksyour view of traffic ahead, drop back to more than three secondsuntil you can see around the vehicle (as illustrated next page).

You may feel that if you try to keep a three-second followingdistance, other drivers will cut into the space you leave. This willhappen sometimes, but less often than you think. To give up yoursight distance, your planning and response time and relaxed drivingjust because you want to save a few seconds and not let otherdrivers cut in, is a poor bargain. If you let other drivers dictate yourdriving style, then you are not in control.

Occasionally, under special circumstances, a good case can be madefor lengthening your following distance beyond three seconds.

100 62 28 84 33690 56 25 75 30080 50 22 66 26470 43 19 57 22860 37 17 51 20450 31 14 42 16840 25 11 33 132

TIME – DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS

SPEEDKM/H MPH METRES/SECOND

3-SECOND FOLLOWING DISTANCE(IN METRES)

12-SECOND FOLLOWING DISTANCE(IN METRES)

For a three-second following distance at 100 km/h, you will be twice as far back as you would be at 50 km/h.

100 km/h 50 km/h


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To understand why, you will need toexamine how three seconds would bespent in a situation that could turn into acollision.

First, you will spend some of the threeseconds identifying the problem, predictingthe outcome and deciding what to do,through the IPDE approach to driving. Thenyou need some reaction time – to get yourfoot off the accelerator and apply thebrake. If you’re reasonably alert, you can doall of this in three seconds and beginbraking, too.

If you stop at the same rate as the vehicleahead, you will not hit it.

But, if the driver in front hits a fixed object;you are tired and are slower to react thanthe other driver; the other vehicle hasbetter traction; or, the other driver is moreskilled at braking than you are, then youneed more than three seconds to avoid acollision.

Incorrect


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However, if you are looking ahead as far as you should, you will see the cause of the problem any time from 12 to 60 seconds ahead –possibly before the driver ahead of you sees it. In this case, you can respond to the problem rather than to the brake lights of the vehicle infront of you.

Identify

Predict Decide


5.4 EYE USE

Of all your senses, your eyesight is the most important for driving. Your eyes pick up most of the information you need to drive.

Steer where you look

It is important to understand that your eyes determine the path your vehicle follows– you steer where you look.

To illustrate this, pick a straight stretch of paved highway with light traffic. While driving, look at the centre line about 12 seconds ahead. Keep looking at the centre line 12 seconds ahead. Observe how the car moves toward the centre line.

Now, look at the edge of the road 12 seconds ahead.

You will steer where you look.

To steer straight ahead, look about 12 seconds directly ahead of where you are sitting.

To steer around a curve, look at the inside of the curve to where the centre lines vanish.Do not look in the mirrors, do not look down at your instrument panel. If you take youreyes off the road, you will not maintain precise control over your steering.

Remember, if you look at the side of the road, you will steer to the side of the road.Look where you want to go, particularly in an emergency or a skid, and steer there.

Check your mirrors and speed when you are driving in a straight line, and when steeringis less critical.


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Search patterns on highways and rural roads

When you drive on a highway,you hope the road is clear andunobstructed. To verify that, youwill need to perform a searchpattern – searching the road forany obstructions or hazards.

“Looking up” on highways

As part of your search pattern, look up as far as you can see. Tolook up means to look as far aheadas you can see the highway – tothe horizon. (On a straight road,you may be able to see up to 90seconds ahead.)

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On a curve, look up across and around as farahead as you can see. At first, you will likelyhave to concentrate to look this far ahead incurves.

When curving right, look at the shoulder lineto the point where it disappears. Keep lookingat that point and maintain a steady speed.When curving left, look at the centre line asfar as you can see it. When coming out of thecurve, look at your lane all the way to thehorizon.

As you develop that “far ahead” view, you willautomatically drive the curve smoothly andaccurately. You will also benefit from seeingyour path far enough ahead to deal with anyobstacles in your path.


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“Referencing down” on highways

Reference down by moving your eyes down from the look upposition so that you see the road 12 seconds ahead at 100 km/h.

Look on the road in front of you to where the spaces on the brokenlines on the road disappear. This will be about 12 seconds away.This will help you obtain information you require to steeraccurately and safely.

Until now, you have been looking up (to the horizon), referencingdown (12 seconds ahead), looking up, referencing down, etc.

When most people try this exercise, they usually find that theyhave not been looking up as far as they can see. Also, they haveusually been referencing down much closer than 12 seconds.

To establish search patterns of up to 90 seconds ahead and tostretch your referencing down to 12 seconds requires two things.First, most drivers must admit that they have not been looking farenough ahead. Second, you have to practise to make looking upand referencing down a habit.

As you establish the habit of looking up and referencing down, youwill see the benefits to your driving, and this method will becomeeasier every day. Also, steering where you look will help youovercome steering problems such as wandering within a lane orwandering from lane to lane.


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Sweeping highways with your eyes

The next part of your search pattern is to look for things that willinterfere with your path – vehicles entering from the side, animalsor people on the side of the road, or approach roads. This involvessweeping your eyes across and to the side of the road. Try tosweep about 12 seconds ahead.

Filling in the gap on highways

Now fill in the gap between you and where you reference down 12 seconds ahead. Check the vehicles in front, the road surface forice or pot holes, and the width and firmness of the shoulders.

Checking your gates on highways

Next, you need to check which gates are still open; that is, thespace around your vehicle on all four sides. Pay close attention ifyou have detected a real or potential hazard. Check your mirrorsoften to see whether the rear and two side gates are open.

Checking your instruments on highways

You should check your instruments when it is safe to take youreyes off the road. Even checking your speed takes one and a halfseconds. Therefore, check your instruments when you are on astraight stretch of road with your gates open and with no real orpotential hazards ahead.

Check your speed and, less often, glance at your gas gauge andother instruments or warning lights.

Now your pattern should be: look up, reference down, look up,reference down, sweep left, sweep right, look up, reference down,fill in the gap, look up, reference down, check your gates, look up,reference down, check instruments, etc.

The exact sequence that you use will vary with the features andthe traffic on the highway. The most important part of thesequence is to look up and reference down. Include the others asneeded. The more often the situation changes around you, themore often you have to search.

Search patterns in urban areas

The pattern for city driving is similar to that of highway driving. Itis not easy to achieve, but is worth practising.

Looking up in urban areas

To look up in an urban area, look ahead as far as you can see– usually several traffic lights or a number of blocks ahead. This will give you information about the flow of traffic, thesequence of the lights and whether there is construction or majorobstructions ahead.


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Referencing down in urban areas

Next in the sequence, you should reference down. To referencedown in an urban area, move your eyes down from the look upposition so that you view the road 12 seconds ahead at cityspeeds. Even if you cannot see clearly for that distance, you shouldlook around or through the windows of the vehicles ahead. Try tosee cars well ahead that are slowing down, changing lanes, turningor stopping. Watch for brake and signal lights.

Sweeping with your eyes in urban areas

In the city you need to sweep further to each side and to sweepmore frequently than you do on the highway.

The sequence now should be: look up, reference down, look up,reference down, sweep left, sweep right, look up, reference down,etc.

Filling in the gap in urban areas

You need to fill in the gap between you and where you referencedown, 12 seconds ahead. In the city, you need to do this moreoften than on the highway because you do not have as clear aview ahead.

Checking your gates in urban areas

You need to be more aware of the status of your gates whendriving in the city because vehicles are more likely to be in yourblind spot.

Never permit yourself to drive in a situation where there are fewerthan two gates open. If you cannot control the rear and side gates,at least you can drop back and double the distance between youand the vehicle ahead – to five or six seconds.

Checking your instruments in urban areas

You will have little time to check your instruments when driving inthe city. From time to time, check your speed. But remember to dothis in light traffic or on straight, unobstructed roads. You can checkyour gauges at traffic lights and stop signs.

Search patterns at night

At night, your search pattern is much the same as it is during theday. You should look up and reference down to about 12 secondsahead. This means that most of the time you will be lookingbeyond the part of the road illuminated by your lights.

You still need to sweep with your eyes, fill in the gap and checkyour gates and instruments.


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Do not look at the side of the road because you willsteer there. Obviously, do not look at oncomingheadlights because the glare will blind you. Look 12seconds ahead, directly in line with where you are sitting.

Search patterns in emergencies

The rule for where to look in emergencies is simple:look where you want to go and steer there.

If you are sliding or skidding sideways, do not look down,do not look at the instrument panel and do not look atwhat you might hit. Look where you want to go.

Driving in dense traffic

If you are not accustomed to driving in dense traffic, theexperience can be highly stressful. You can make it easierif you plan where you wish to go in advance. It is nervewracking to drive in a new environment and to try tonavigate at the same time.

The most important thing to remember is do not giveup your following distance. Do not stop your searchpattern. If the drivers around you are driving one secondapart, let them, but do not be tempted to follow theirexample.


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5.5 BEFORE YOU DRIVE

Vehicle familiarization

Many drivers have collisions during their first week of owning anew car because they do not know where the controls are.

Whenever you get into a vehicle that is new to you, take time tofind out where the controls are. You must be able to operate thewindshield wipers, windshield washers, horn, lights, heater, radio,turn signals and emergency flashers without looking at them. Withthe vehicle stationary, practise looking at the road ahead while youreach and adjust each control.

Read the owner’s manual. New vehicles have new design featuresthat you should be familiar with if you are to drive safely and getmaximum enjoyment and efficiency from your vehicle’sequipment.

Before you drive check that:

• doors are properly closed (if security is an issue, you may want to lock your doors)

• all loose objects are secured

• your seat is properly adjusted

• head restraints are properly adjusted

•mirrors are properly adjusted

• air flow regulators are adjusted (vents, heaters, air conditioning)

• seatbelts are fastened and properly adjusted

• bulbs in warning lights are working and the lights go out when the engine starts (see owner's manual)

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Design components for safety

Vehicle designers must prevent injury and reduce theseriousness of injury in crashes by building safety features intothe design of every vehicle.

Important safety features include head restraints, seatbeltsand airbags.

Head restraints

In some vehicles, the head restraints are built into the seat,while in others you have to adjust them.

If your vehicle is hit from behind, or if you hit someone infront, you are much less likely to suffer a whiplash injury to your neck if your head restraint is properly adjusted.

Adjust the height of the head restraint for each driver orpassenger. The protection afforded is well worth the effort.

Adjust the pad of the restraint to support the back of yourhead. The top of your head restraint should never be lowerthan the top of your head.

Correct

Incorrect


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Seatbelts

A safe passenger compartment is an important part of vehicle design. The frontand rear of a car are designed to collapse on impact while the passengercompartment remains undisturbed. Your chances of survival are, therefore, greatlyincreased if you remain in the passenger compartment.

Your seatbelt will keep you in your seat and will reduce the forces your bodyexperiences in a crash.

In Saskatchewan, every vehicle occupant must wear a seatbelt where they areprovided in a properly adjusted and securely fastened manner. Obey the law andincrease your chances of surviving a collision. Put on your seatbelt every time youride in a vehicle. To be most effective, seatbelts must be used properly. First, putthe lap belt on, adjusting it to fit over your pelvis, and pull it snug. The lap belt isdesigned to take the force on your pelvis – not your stomach. Keep the lapportion low.

Next, adjust the shoulder portion of the seatbelt over your chest area. How youdo this will vary from vehicle to vehicle. Some adjust automatically, others worklike a window blind. Adjust your shoulder belt to make it snug, yet comfortable.Shoulder belts should never be worn behind your back or under your arm.

Drivers are legally responsible to ensure that passengers under 16 years of ageuse seatbelts where available and child safety seats, when appropriate. If not, thedriver may be charged. Passengers aged 16 years and older are responsible forbuckling themselves up.


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Child restraints

In collisions, children can acquire severe injuries by being thrownabout or completely out of the passenger compartment. This canhappen more easily than with adults because they have heavyheads in relation to the rest of their bodies. Their necks and bodiesare not strong enough to withstand the impact of a collision orsudden braking.

In Saskatchewan, small children must be properly fitted intoapproved child restraints that are correctly installed. Children whoweigh less than 18 kg (40 lbs.) must be buckled into proper childsafety restraints that are fastened to the vehicle by a seatbelt andany other straps specified by the manufacturer no matter who istransporting them – parent, grandparent, caregiver.

For more information on child restraints, contact SGI Traffic SafetyPromotion at 306-775-6042 or 1-800-667-8015 extension 6042.

Airbags

Major automobile manufacturers are now equipping manyvehicles with airbags as standard or optional equipment. Thetough fabric bags inflate in crashes over 16 km/h, cushioning anoccupant's neck, head and chest in moderate to severe impact.

Children should never be put in the front seat of cars equippedwith passenger-side airbags. The force of an airbag deploying isenough to critically injure or kill an infant or small child.

Airbags are not a replacement for seatbelts. Seatbelts aloneprovide all the protection a person needs in low and moderate-speed impacts. Airbags are most effective in high-speed crashes,where they often prevent serious injury.

Driver-side and passenger-side airbags are common features innewer automobiles. Airbags are also installed in the doors ofsome cars to prevent passengers from hitting their heads againstthe windows or pillars of the car during a collision.

Occupants must wear seatbelts to protect themselves in thesecircumstances and to ensure that in the event of a frontal crash,they remain in the seating position necessary for airbags to beeffective.



The proper way to sit:1. Sit up straight and well back into theseat. Your body should be firmly againstthe seat back and cushion.

2. Move the seat forward or backward soyour right foot is placed on the floorunderneath the brake. The seat shouldbe sufficiently forward so that your rightleg cannot be straightened, and remainsslightly bent even when you push hard.

With a manual transmission, depress theclutch with your left foot. When it is all theway down, your leg should still be slightlybent.

If, with the seat adjusted as far forward asit will go, you are too far back to be in thisposition, pad your back with cushions.

Seating position

If you do not sit properly, you cannot steer well nor can you use your brake or accelerator efficiently.


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3. If the seat height can be changed, adjustit so you can see over the steeringwheel, preferably so that your line ofvision is half way between the top ofthe steering wheel and the top of thewindshield. If necessary, use a cushionto raise yourself to the correct height.Try also to have at least a fist’s spacebetween the top of your head and theroof of the vehicle.

The angle of the seat should beadjusted to support your thigh, but youshould not have to use excessive forceto depress any pedal to the floor.

4. If the seat back is adjustable, move it sothat your arms are slightly bent whenyou reach out and grasp the steeringwheel in a “10 and 2” or “9 and 3”position. (See “Steering,” page 101.)

5. Adjust the head restraint so that the topedge is level with the top of your head.

Mirror adjustment

Proper mirror adjustment is critical to safedriving. The following page outlines anexcellent method to adjust your vehicle’smirrors to maximize your view of the road.Remember, always adjust your mirrorsbefore you start to drive.

Begin with the rear-view mirror. Adjust themirror so that you are able to see as muchof the rear windshield as possible. Whileadjusting the mirror, aim to keep your headin the same position as it will be when youare actually driving your vehicle.

Adjusting your side mirror is a little moredifficult. First, lean to the left so that yourforehead is barely touching the sidewindow. Then move the mirror so that youcan just see the left side of your vehicle.

To adjust the right side mirror, positionyour head toward the centre of yourvehicle. Adjust the mirror so that it showsjust a sliver of the right side of yourvehicle.



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By setting mirrors so the driver can see both sides of the vehicle from the driving position,the same image will appear in all three mirrors. By setting them so the driver has to lean tosee the sides of the car, the outside mirrors continue on where the inside mirror leaves off – significantly reducing the blind spot.

Another advantage of positioning your mirrors this way is that it reduces headlight glarefrom vehicles travelling behind you.

Left foot brace

The left foot brace refers to the bracing ofyour left foot against the fire wall (locatedbelow and behind the pedals separating theengine from the driving compartment) tosupport you and to keep you firmly in yourseat.

Place your left foot against the fire wall andpush whenever you need stability such aswhen negotiating a curve, when braking, inan emergency or on slippery pavement.

Bracing with your left foot helps you steereasily and well because you are not leaningon the wheel. Also, if you are not supportingyour weight on the heel of your right foot,it is free to brake and accelerate withgreater precision and control.

The fact that you need a left foot brace forcontrolled driving means you cannot useyour left foot to brake. Always brake withyour right foot.


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5.6 STEERING

Hand positions

There are two correct hand positions on a steering wheel: “10 and 2” and “9 and 3.”

These methods refer to visualizing the steering wheel as the face of a clock, and positioning the left hand at the 9 or 10 o’clock position and the right hand at 2 or 3 o’clock. Steering wheels and shoulder widths differ, so exactly where people grasp the wheel will vary.

“10 and 2” “9 and 3”

Left foot brace


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“Hand over hand”

This method is used when turning the wheel sharply either when driving slowly or inemergencies when conditions are very slippery.

As you turn the wheel, pull the wheel down with the top hand, take the bottom hand andput it up at the top, pull the wheel down with the top hand, take the bottom hand and putit at the top, etc.

When unwinding the wheel after a turn, use the hand over hand system. Do not let thewheel slide through your hands – you have very little control of the speed at which itcomes back or the point at which it stops.

On a vehicle equipped with an airbag inthe steering wheel, a hand placed on thetop of the wheel may be forced back intothe driver’s face if the airbag is deployed,causing injury.

Once your hands are in correct position, do not shuffle them around on the wheel.Keep your grip in the same place andsimply twist the steering wheel to turn thevehicle.

You can twist the wheel until your forearmstouch. To steer beyond this point, you willhave to use a “hand over hand” sequence.

The key to steering is to know the steeringwheel position at which your front wheelsare straight. When you start out, straightenyour front wheels and place your hands inposition. Provided that you do not shiftyour grip, every time your hands arestraight and level, you know your frontwheels are straight.

Basic driving skills55.6 Steering

Basic driving skills 5

5.7 ACCELERATING

To move the vehicle smoothly and to saveon fuel, push the accelerator downgradually and wait for the vehicle to buildup speed.

In vehicles with automatic transmissions,the gears will change automatically foryou. With manual transmissions, you haveto release the accelerator and re-applyaccelerator pressure as part of your gearshift.

To drive with precision, you must vary theaccelerator position smoothly by smallamounts.

5.8 NEUTRAL/CLUTCH

You should shift to neutral (or declutch)during emergencies or when stopping inwinter driving conditions. This gives youbetter control over your vehicle bydisconnecting the engine from the drivewheels. If you are stopping on a slipperysurface and are in neutral, then your drivewheels are not driving the car forwardwhile you are trying to stop. You stop moreeasily over a shorter distance.

It is important to shift to neutral properly.With an automatic transmission, push thegear selector away from you with an openpalm. On a floor console, do not touchthe release button, just push it forward.

In a manual transmission vehicle, declutch;that is, push the clutch down to the floorand hold it there and shift into neutral.

5.7 Accelerating 5.8 Neutral/clutch

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5.9 GEARS

It is possible to make an automatictransmission shift when you want it to. Tomake the vehicle shift up to a higher gear(from first to second, second to third),simply ease up slightly on the accelerator.

To shift into a lower gear (from third tosecond, second to first) for passing, or toget out of an emergency situation quickly,push the accelerator to the floor.

To slow a vehicle going down a steep hill,shift to a lower gear when necessary. Try toremember to do this at the top of the hill.

5.10 LOW SPEED SKILLS

Surprisingly, it is more difficult to driveslowly than it is to drive at highway speeds.Yet, you need to drive slowly to park, turnsharply, back up or move forward in trafficjams.

Low speed manoeuvreing

To drive slowly in an automatic-transmissionvehicle, rest your foot on the brake and letthe idling speed of the engine move thevehicle, braking as necessary to control thespeed.

In a manual-transmission vehicle, youcontrol very low speeds almost entirelywith the clutch. Accelerate as for a normalstart and hold your engine speed constant.Raise the clutch to the point at which theengine engages with the drive wheels, andstop. Then, ease the clutch up a smallamount to move the vehicle. To gain speed,ease the clutch up a little more. To slowthe vehicle, push the clutch down a smallamount until the engine is againdisengaged from the drive wheels.

If the vehicle is on a slope and/or is movingfaster than you wish, declutch and brakegently.

Backing

You might think that being good at backingis not very important. However, collisionswhile backing are among the most frequenttype of collision. This is due, in part, todrivers who believe that a low-speedactivity such as backing is “no problem.”

Never back a vehicle until you havechecked behind it from outside. Children,bicycles, wagons, etc., are not always visiblefrom inside your vehicle.

Begin, as you should for all backingmanoeuvres, with the vehicle straight andthe front wheels straight.

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1. From your normal seating position, shift your weight so thatyou are resting on your right hip.

2. Support yourself by placing your right arm along the arm rest orthe top of the front passenger seat.

3. Grasp the top centre (12 o’clock position) of the steering wheelwith your left hand.

4. Begin backing slowly. Within the first foot or so of vehiclemovement, check forward. If the front of the vehicle is movingstraight back, your front wheels are straight. If the front of thevehicle swings to the left or right, your wheels are not straight.

If the front of your vehicle swings to the left, turn your steering wheel to the left tostraighten. If the front swings to the right,turn your steering wheel to the right tostraighten. Once you get the wheels straight,move your grip to the new 12 o’clockposition.

Basic driving skills 55.10 Low speed skills

Basic driving skills55.10 Low speed skills

5. Having done this, you know that every time your hand is at 12o’clock, your front wheels are straight.

6. Now, look through the rear window and focus your eyes wellback along the path you want to go.

7. Move the vehicle slowly backwards. Look and steer where youwant to go.

8. You will notice that the vehicle turns much more when you arebacking because the front wheels are pivoting, or swinging,around the rear wheels. This is called ‘front end swing’ and is thecause of many backing collisions.

Steering techniques for backing

1. Hand over hand

Shift your weight slightly onto your right hip, grasp the steeringwheel with both hands and use the hand over hand method toturn the steering wheel. While this method provides good steeringcontrol, it limits your ability to see out the back window.

2. Palming

Palming is an advanced steering technique that is only usedwhen backing. It is used in situations where both straight linebacking and sharp turning are required. This method allows youto turn the wheel sharply while ensuring that your front wheelswill be straight when your hand isat 12 o’clock.

Put your left hand at the 12o’clock position but do not graspthe wheel. Instead, push your palmagainst the rim of the wheel withenough pressure so that when youmove your hand down and around,the wheel turns, but your palmstays on the same place on thewheel rim.

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Advanced driving skills


6.1 Parking6

6.1 PARKING

Parallel parking

First, find a space that you can fit your vehicleinto. Signal your intention to park to other driversas you approach. If you are not sure, stop yourvehicle beside the space and check that you haveat least 2 m more than the length of yourvehicle. Shift to reverse as soon as possible toactivate the back-up lights.

This is only one suggested method of parallelparking. There are others that work just as well.

1. Position your vehicle parallel to the frontvehicle about .5 m out from it, with your backbumper lined up with the front vehicle’s backbumper. Shift to reverse, check that the way isclear and get ready to steer.

2. Back slowly. Immediately start turning yourwheel toward the curb until you reach about a45 degree angle. (Pay attention to yourvehicle’s front end swing into traffic. Makesure you are clear of oncoming vehicles.)

3. Continue to back slowly and straighten yourwheels. 107

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4. When your front bumper clears thebumper of the front vehicle, continue tomove slowly and turn your wheelsaway from the curb.

5. If necessary, shift to first or drive, andslowly move forward while youstraighten your vehicle.


6.1 Parking6

Angle parking

Where a parking space is at 90 degrees (a right angle) to the road, as it is in mostparking lots, always back into the spaceunless it is prohibited. You have theadvantage of being able to back inaccurately because your windows are clearand you are “warmed up” for driving. Inaddition, the front end swing occurs in theaisle, not between two parked cars and youare backing into a space you know is freeof obstacles instead of backing into traffic.More importantly, when you drive out youwill have an excellent view.

Some parking spaces are at about a 60degree angle to the road. These spaces areusually located in small urban centres andon one-way streets. You are meant to driveinto and back out of them.

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Advanced driving skills66.1 Parking 6.2 Turning

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Parking on a hill

The trick to parking on a hill is to turn yourfront wheels so that if the vehicle rollsaway, it will roll into the curb and stop. Ifthere is no curb, the vehicle should roll offthe road, not into the path of othervehicles.

6.2 TURNING

U-turns

A U-turn is when you turn your vehiclearound at an intersection to travel in theopposite direction. Before making a U-turn,check that:

– there are no signs prohibiting U-turns

– you have adequate sight distance so youhave time to finish the turn beforeencountering oncoming traffic. Forexample, in a 60 km/h area, you need asight time of at least 20 seconds eachway. In a 100 km/h area, you need 40seconds sight distance clear of vehicleseach way

– you have enough room to make the turnin one swing

If there is any doubt whether a U-turn can be made safely and with minimal dis -ruption to traffic, go around the block.

The procedure for making a U-turn:

1. Check that the turn is allowed and theway is clear.

2. Signal the turn and approach as youwould a left turn.

3. Move very slowly. Turn the wheel into afull lock as soon as you can (use handover hand).

4. Once you are on full lock, slightlyincrease your speed.

5. Throughout the turn, check to see thatthe way is still clear (both ways).

6. Complete the turn. Before the car isstraight, start unwinding the wheel(hand over hand).

7. Straighten your front wheels.

8. Proceed as normal.

U-turns are prohibited at traffic lights unless permitted by a sign.

Downhill with curb Uphill with curb

Downhill no curb Uphill no curb


6.2 Turning6

When making U-turns every effort should be made tocomplete the turn in the most extreme left driving lane.

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Two-point turns

Before making a two-point turn, check that you have adequatesight distance so that you have time to finish the turn before anypossible vehicle conflict occurs. For example, in a 60 km/h area, youneed a sight time of at least 20 seconds each way. In a 100 km/harea, you need 40 seconds sight distance clear of vehicles, eachway.

1. Well before the place where you wish to turn around, signalright, shoulder check, position your vehicle in the right lane andslow down.

2. Cancel the signal, proceed past the intersection, and stop yourvehicle as far right as possible.


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You may also move to the far right after the intersection andstop your vehicle as illustrated below. Choose whichevermethod can be done most safely given the traffic flow.

3. Check for traffic.

4. Begin slowly backing up. When the rear bumper is even with theintersection, turn wheels sharply to the right. Be careful that thefront of your car does not swing out into traffic. As you backinto the approach, straighten the wheels and stop.

5. Signal for a left turn, check for traffic and proceed to make a leftturn into the left driving lane.

Advanced driving skills66.3 Highway driving

6.3 HIGHWAY DRIVING

Cruise control

On a long trip you can use the cruise control, if your vehicle is soequipped, to keep your speed constant. Cruise control will save gasand make highway driving less demanding. However, there aretimes when you should not use cruise control, such as in urbanareas, on wet or slippery roads, in traffic where the speed is highlyvariable or in any situation where your vision is restricted.

Restricted access freeways

A freeway is a multi-lane, divided highway, with restricted access.There should be no cyclists, pedestrians or hitch-hikers. It isimportant to note that the Trans-Canada Highway, Regina’s RingRoad and Saskatoon’s Circle Drive are freeways.

Entering a freeway

The key to entering a freeway is to increase your speed in theacceleration lane until it matches the speed of the vehiclesalready on the freeway.

You also need to plan your merge:

1. While on the entrance ramp, look at the freeway traffic anddetermine where you want to merge.

2. Build up your speed in the acceleration lane as quickly as you can.

3. Continue to check the spot where you want to merge.

4. Signal, make your final shoulder check and accelerate into thefreeway lane. Merging at less than freeway speeds can bedangerous.

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While on the freeway

Provide a safe merge for other vehicles entering the freewayfrom access ramps by either moving left to free the right lane orby adjusting your speed.

Drive in the right lane, or perhaps the centre lane, when there arethree lanes. The left lane is for passing or may be used by fastervehicles when the traffic is dense.

Keep looking up and referencing down to 12 seconds ahead so thatyou have advance notice of any obstacles in your path. Maintain athree-second following distance and keep at least two gates openat all times.

Leaving a freeway

When leaving a freeway, signal your intention and move into thedeceleration lane. Slow down in the deceleration lane, not on thefreeway. Some deceleration lanes are shorter than others, so watchyour speed. When you exit a freeway, you are likely to under-estimate your speed when you slow down.

If you miss an exit

If you miss an exit, do not stop on the freeway. Do not back up onthe freeway. Continue to the next interchange and return to thecorrect exit.

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Advanced driving skills66.3 Highway driving 6.4 Passing

Emergencies on the freeway

If your vehicle starts to give you trouble, check your mirrors, signal,shoulder check and pull over onto the nearest shoulder as quicklyand safely as possible. Slow down, put on your emergency flashersand stop on the shoulder as far right as possible.

Never stop your car on the travelled portion of the freeway. Do notwait for your car to stall on the freeway. At the first sign of trouble,pull over safely. If possible, stay with your car. If you must crossthe freeway on foot, use extreme caution.

Turn on your four-way flashers or raise the hood to alert othermotorists you need assistance. Be especially careful getting out ofyour car when stopped along a freeway. If necessary, exit from thedoor away from the traffic.

In some cities, you may encounter roadways that have somecharacteristics of a freeway and some characteristics of a normalstreet. Be alert for unexpected traffic patterns.

6.4 PASSING

Estimation of safe passing time

Using time to estimate when you can pass is complicated, but it iswell worth the effort required to master it. You can practise passingsafely and once you can judge time well, you have a good methodof judging when it is safe to pass.

You can get all the information you need to make a passingjudgment from two estimates: the estimate of your safe passingtime and the estimate of the closing time between you and theapproaching vehicle.

The first step in developing your new technique is to find out howlong it normally takes you to pass. This varies from 10 to 40seconds depending on your vehicle, your technique and thedifference in speed between you and the vehicle you are passing.To find your safe passing time, choose a divided highway or a two-way highway at a time and place when traffic is light.

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6.4 Passing6

First, determine your passing time as follows:

1. Follow the vehicle ahead at the same speed, but three secondsback. Note its speed.

2. Check that you can see at least 40 seconds ahead, that there areno vehicles coming the other way and that there are nointersections or solid lane markings.

3. Begin counting “Thou - sand and one, Thou - sand and two”from the point you decide to pass and begin to accelerate.

4. Signal, and at a point where you still have good vision and cansmoothly change lanes around the vehicle ahead, move into theleft lane.

5. Continue in the left lane until you see the vehicle you have justpassed in your inside mirror. As you pull back into your originallane, signal right and continue your acceleration. Do notdecelerate as you change lanes.

6. Continue counting until you have completed your pass. Stopyour count when your left rear wheel crosses the lane line (justas you are returning to your original lane in front of the vehicleyou have passed).

7. The last number you say after “Thou - sand” is your measure ofpassing time in seconds.

Next, build in a safety margin that you are comfortable with.

Five seconds is a minimum safety margin. For example, if yourpassing time is 15 seconds, add another five seconds for possibleerror. This will give you a cushion of five seconds if the vehiclecoming towards you is approaching faster than normal or if yourestimation is not accurate.

Start counting Safe passing time Stop counting

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Your passing time + your safety margin = your safe passing time

Your safe passing time in this case is 20 seconds.

If you think about it, your safe passing time will also tell you theminimum sight distance needed for safe passing, even if there isnothing coming the other way.

Try this several times at highway speeds varying the differencebetween you and the vehicle ahead until you get a handle on whatyour safe passing time actually is.

Estimation of the closing time of two vehicles

This is similar to judging the time from fixed objects except nowyou have a vehicle coming towards you. The gap between you andthe approaching vehicle will close about twice as fast as if youwere approaching a fixed object.

Steps to estimate closing time:

1. Position your vehicle three seconds behind the vehicle in front.

2. Determine the point at which you could safely return to yourlane if you were to pass the vehicle in front – the safe returnpoint. For example, watch a vehicle pass and note where it pullsback into the driving lane.

3. When an approaching vehicle appears, start counting andcontinue counting until the vehicle reaches the safe return pointahead of you. The last number you say after “Thou - sand” isyour measure of closing time.

Safe return point Closing time


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The safe/unsafe judgment

When you feel confident that you can estimate closing timesreasonably well, practise judging when it is safe to pass, then checkby counting time. When a vehicle is approaching, decide if it is safeto pass or not. Say “safe” or “unsafe,” then count “Thou - sand andone, Thou - sand and two” – check the actual closing time againstyour safe passing time to see if you were right. Keep practisinguntil you can make the safe/unsafe judgment with 100% accuracy.

There are two advantages to practising your passing judgment inthis way. First, it is completely safe because you never actually passthe vehicle. Second, your timing will be based on the actual speedsof vehicles using the highway.

The actual passing judgment

Now practise what you have learned. When you judge it is safe topass, carry out a passing manoeuvre.

Remember:

1. You have to build a minimum of a five-second safety cushioninto your safe passing time. Do not give this up under anycircumstance.

2. When you have enough experience with this method ofestimation to be skilled and comfortable with it, extend yourrange. Determine the safe passing time for different situations,such as different speeds, surface conditions and longer vehiclessuch as tractor trailers. The passing time will vary.

3. Your safe passing time is also a measure of the shortest sightdistance you need to pass, even with no oncoming traffic.

4. Your passing time will vary with the speed difference betweenyou and the vehicle you are passing.

Being passed

When you are being passed:

1. Do not speed up.

2. If the driver passing you has misjudged, slow down and let themback into the lane.

3. When being passed by large trucks, you are likely to be pushedaround by the wind. Just look where you want to go and yoursteering will take care of itself.

Advanced driving skills66.5 Curves and corners

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6.5 CURVES AND CORNERS

The techniques for driving around curvesand corners are basically the same. In acurve or corner, the vehicle will want to gostraight ahead while you want to turn. Ifyou are going too fast, or if the road isslippery, the vehicle will win and you willnot get around the corner or curve.

The most important part of driving a curveor corner is to slow down before you getto it.

To drive around a sharp curve or corner,follow this procedure:

1. Slow down. Take your foot off theaccelerator and, if necessary, brake. It isimportant to brake in a straight line.

2. In a manual transmission vehicle, shiftto a lower gear so that you have enoughpower to accelerate through the curveor corner.

3. Use the vision techniques on page 89.

4. Use your accelerator gently until youreach the mid-point of the curve,pushing down on the accelerator if youwant the vehicle to go to the outside ofthe curve. Ease up on the accelerator ifyou want the vehicle to go to the insideof the curve or corner.

5. Once you reach the mid-point of thecurve, unwind the steering wheel andaccelerate out of the curve.


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6.7 Grid, municipal and resource access roads

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6.6 DRIVING IN MOUNTAINS

When driving in mountains, you will have shorter sight distances,so it is important that you look up, reference down and adjust yourspeed so that you can see at least 12 seconds ahead.

When you drive down mountains, you sometimes move fasterthan you wish. You will find that shifting to a lower gear will helpyou to slow down. As you travel down the mountain, brake verylightly and continuously. This method of braking is least likely tooverheat your brakes.

6. 7 GRID, MUNICIPAL AND RESOURCE ACCESS ROADS

Saskatchewan has a large network of roads connecting its mainhighways.

These roads present driving challenges which differ from provincialhighways. Sight distances are shorter. There are no shoulders,curves are sharper and there are many T-intersections, whichmeans that the road comes to an end, often with little notice.

Unlike main highways, these roads are not designed to permit youto get out of trouble if you happen to be travelling faster than theposted speed limit. The speed limits are to be taken seriously andshould be regarded as maximums.

Gravel surfaces may cause problems. At times, the gravel may bedeep and loose, making it difficult to steer around curves. At othertimes there may be so little gravel that you are actually driving indirt, which is very slippery when wet.

When dry, gravel surfaces also create visibility problems. Everymoving vehicle creates clouds of dust that make meeting andpassing other vehicles very dangerous.

Railway crossings, crossroads and farm entrances are more difficultto see on these roads than when you are driving on provincialhighways that provide better sight distances. You are also morelikely to encounter slow-moving farm vehicles.

Driving techniques for gravel roads

Drive at a speed suited to the conditions. This means drive slowly.When you exit from a provincial highway, slow down. Keep youreyes up. You need all the advance notice you can get.

To steer in deep gravel, grasp the wheel firmly. Expect that thevehicle will wander. You will not steer as precisely as you do onpavement, so do not fight it by turning the steering wheel toomuch – you could lose control.

Stay well back from dust clouds.

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Advanced driving skills66.7 Grid, municipal and resource access roads 6.8 Winter driving

Always drive with your headlights on so that others can see youearlier than they otherwise might.

When meeting large trucks or farm equipment, slow down and pullas far to the right as possible. You may have to stop.

6.8 WINTER DRIVING

In Saskatchewan, it is possible that you could be operating yourvehicle for at least five months of the year in winter drivingconditions. It is in this period, from November to March, that mostcollisions occur.

Snow, ice and freezing rain reduce traction. Drifting and blowingsnow, fog, whiteouts, gas exhaust clouds and frosted windows mayseverely limit visibility.

The main cause of collisions in winter months is failing to adjust toexisting conditions.

Preparing your vehicle

Winter conditions, plus the effects of extremely low temperatures,demand that a vehicle be in top condition. For this reason, a pre-winter check is a necessity, and in the end is less annoying and lesscostly than battery boosts, tows and being late. Give specialattention to your heater and defroster.

As well as getting a tune-up and adding antifreeze to your radiator,you would be wise to have the following:

– all-season radial or snow tires

– block heater

– electric battery blanket (especially with the new sealed batteries)

– snow brush and scraper

– gas line antifreeze

– small snow shovel

– set of traction mats

– booster cables (know how to use them)

For out of town trips, add the following survival equipment:

– extra warm clothes (include footwear, mitts and hats)

– a supply of candles and matches

– tow chain or rope

– nourishing freezable food (raisins, nuts, candy)

– sleeping bags

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6.8 Winter driving6

Preparing to see and to be seen

If you cannot see through your windows, you should not drive. Ifyour lights and signals are to protect you, they must be visible.Before you drive, do the following:

– Brush the snow off your car.

– Scrape the windshield, rear and side windows.

– Clear your heater air intake (this is usually in front of thewindshield).

– Clean your headlights, taillights and signal lights.

– Be sure to clear your tissue boxes, sunglasses, papers, etc., awayfrom defroster outlets.

– Drive with your headlights on at all times. Even on a clear day,swirling snow makes it difficult to see and to be seen.

Driving on slippery surfaces

Winter traction problems require a number of changes fromsummer driving techniques. The general rule for driving on slipperyconditions is drive slowly.

Traction varies tremendously with temperature changes. Icy roadswill look just the same at -2 C or -22 C, but will be far moreslippery at the warmer temperature. Winter driving calls for specialdriving skills. This means gentle acceleration, gentle braking andsmall, smooth steering movements.

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Advanced driving skills66.8 Winter driving

Reduced traction means the grip between yourtires and the slippery surface is fragile.

If you accelerate hard, you go beyond theamount of traction that is available and yourwheels spin. If you brake too hard and yourwheels lock, you break the traction, whichmeans that when you turn the steering wheel,the vehicle will not turn – it will continue in thedirection it was going when the wheels locked.If this occurs on ice, your stopping distancechanges. In most situations, locking four wheelsby pushing hard on the brakes will give you theshortest stopping distance. But on ice, especiallywhen it’s near the freezing point or if you aredriving fast, you are better off to threshold-brake by pushing on the brake up to the pointjust before it locks. (See “Threshold braking,”page 127.)

If the surface is slippery, flatten the corner orcurve by positioning your vehicle in the left sideof your lane prior to making your turn.

As you enter the curve, gradually steer acrossthe lane so that as you near the mid-point ofthe curve the vehicle is near the right side ofthe lane with its wheels straight. As you exit thecurve, gradually steer back across the lanetowards the left side. For left curves, reverse theprocess. This will lessen the sideways force andreduce the chance that you will spin out. Slowentry into the curve is crucial or your vehiclemay not make it around the curve.

Because there is reduced traction available forstopping and turning, reduce your speed whenconditions are wet or slippery. As well, giveyourself a following distance even longer thanthree seconds.

Never use cruise control whenroads are wet or slippery.

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6.8 Winter driving6

How to get moving

You can usually start moving on ice or packed snow by acceleratinggently. If this does not work, or if you are on a slight downgrade,try moving in second gear.

If you are stuck in deep snow, try rocking your vehicle. To do this,start forward, gently accelerate and you will move forward a little.When your wheels spin, immediately stop accelerating and holdthe vehicle with the brake to stop it from rolling back. Shift toreverse, release the brake and accelerate gently. You will move back.When the wheels spin again, stop immediately. Repeat theforward-backward rocking movement, increasing the distance youmove each time until you gain sufficient momentum to keepmoving ahead. Be sure the wheels have stopped turning beforechanging gears to avoid damage to your transmission.

Search for traction. Look for sand or grit. Choose snow rather thanice. A small movement to one side will often move you from a lowtraction icy patch onto snow or sand. This motion can usually becompleted in your lane.

How to stop on slippery surfaces

1. Shift to neutral (or declutch) before you brake.

2. Brake early and gently using the threshold technique. (See “Threshold braking,” page 127.)

3. Again, search for the best traction and position your vehicle totake advantage of it.

4. Allow extra space for other drivers to stop. They may not be asskilled as you, or their traction may be worse.

Temptations to resist

1. Accelerating hard when you are passing.

2. Using cruise control on wet or slippery roads.

3. Forgetting that other drivers may not be making properallowances for winter conditions.

4. Letting your gas tank drop below half full.

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Advanced driving skills66.8 Winter driving

Whiteouts

Whiteouts occur when the sky, horizon and ground blend into one,making it very difficult to determine your position on the road. Allshadows and distinctions disappear, so that you can barely tellwhere the road ends and the ditch beings.

The first snowfalls

During the first few snowfalls, drive very slowly and keep a five-second following distance. It takes time to change from yoursummer driving patterns. Exaggerate your gentleness on your brakeand accelerator pedals and you will stay out of the line-ups at thebody shop.

Survival

Lives continue to be lost in Saskatchewan winter blizzards.

Dress warmly for long trips. Do not be deceived by the falsecomfort of a well-heated car and wear indoor clothes on longjourneys.

Before starting a long trip, listen to weather forecasts and payattention to storm warnings. If storms develop while you aretravelling, seriously consider stopping over in a town or village,rather than continuing, when there is a possibility of beingstranded.

If you are stranded:

1. Always stay with your vehicle.

2. Keep calm.

3. Lower your downwind-side windows slightly and open theheater air vent to get fresh air into the vehicle.

4. Run the engine to get some heat, and to listen to news reports,but do not run out of gas.

5. Keep your exhaust pipe clear of ice and snow.

6. Get into your emergency clothing before you get cold.

7. If necessary, use candles to keep warm. Be careful not to over-exert yourself by shovelling or by pushing your vehicle.

Many people die when they leave their vehicles to walk for helpin a blizzard. If you stay with your vehicle, you have a betterchance of surviving and are more likely to be found.

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6.9 Braking6

6.9 BRAKING

The general procedure for braking is to begin early, apply lightpressure and ease up on the brake as the vehicle comes to a stop.Always brake with your right foot.

If you want to stop more quickly, push the brake down a littlefurther.

Remember, for normal braking you control the stop by varying thepressure. Do not push the brake down as far as it will go.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) - was introduced in the mid-1980sand has become standard equipment on most newer vehicles. Itwas designed to help drivers maintain some steering ability andavoid skidding while braking. In normal braking, ABS is notactivated. During hard braking, vehicles with ABS remain stable. Thebrakes do not lock up, which means the driver has more steeringcontrol. How do you use ABS? Press the brake firmly and do notrelease until the vehicle has stopped. Do not pump your brakes;the ABS is doing it for you.

When the ABS is active, the brake pedal may pulsate and the carmay shudder or emit clunking noises. This can startle some drivers,causing them to release the brake, but these things are normal andindicate the ABS is functioning properly.

You may think that with ABS you can stop on a dime. This instan -taneous stop is not realistic. When braking on dry or wet roadsyour stopping distance will be about the same as withconventional brakes.

You should allow for a longer stopping distance with ABS than withconventional brakes when driving on gravel, slush and snow. This isbecause the rotating tire will stay on top of this low-traction roadsurface covering, and effectively “float” on this layer.

A non-ABS-braked vehicle can lock its tires and create a snow ploweffect in front of the tires that may, in some cases, help slow thevehicle. These locked tires can sometimes find more traction belowthis layer.

Threshold braking

In threshold braking, you are trying to use all the braking forceavailable without locking the wheels, i.e., you are trying for the“threshold” just before lock-up. To accomplish this, shift to neutral(declutch) and brake until you feel one or more wheels lock, then,ease up the brake slightly until the wheels are all rolling again. Re-apply pressure until you feel one of the wheels start to lock up,ease off slightly and continue this movement, tracking the thresh -old until you stop. As the vehicle slows, you can brake harderbefore lock-up will occur.

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Advanced driving skills66.9 Braking 6.10 Emergency driving

The more slippery the surface, the less you will be able to push thebrake before a wheel locks.

The skill in threshold braking comes from being able to linger justshort of lock-up. To threshold brake well requires much effort andconcentration. While it is usually the technique of choice, it isalmost impossible to do if you panic.

Four-wheel lock braking

With this technique, you shift to neutral (declutch) and then hitthe brakes very hard so that all four wheels lock at the same time.Since most cars are not designed to do this, you need to stamp onthe brake pedal and keep maximum pressure on the brake untilyou come to a complete stop.

Your vehicle will travel in a straight line. If all four wheels do notlock at exactly the same time, or if the surface under different tiresvaries, the vehicle may rotate a little before it finally stops. Evenunder the worst conditions (one wheel on ice, one wheel on drypavement), the vehicle will travel in a straight line, although it mayrevolve around a point in the middle of the vehicle.

You need very little pressure to lock the wheels on ice. As thetraction increases, you must increase the pressure to lock the

wheels. On dry pavement, you really have to stamp on the brake tolock all four wheels simultaneously. You must also be seatedsufficiently close to the brake pedal to get the leverage required.

The four-wheel lock will produce the shortest stopping distance onall surfaces, except glare ice. It is also an ideal technique to use ifyou panic because stamping on the brake is a natural reaction.Also, once you stamp on the brake, you do not have to do anythingexcept keep pressure on the brake.

If possible, try the four-wheel lock when you are with a trainedinstructor. Otherwise, practise at low speeds (20 - 40 km/h) on awet surface. If you try this procedure on dry pavement, you maydamage your tires, which is acceptable if you are trying to avoid acrash, but not recommended if you are just practising.

6.10 EMERGENCY DRIVING

If you use the proper search patterns and see things well inadvance, you should avoid most emergencies. However, as part ofyour IPDE method of driving, expect that other drivers may some -times proceed when they shouldn’t. This means that you will haveto execute your decision in a hurry if you are to avoid a collision.


6.10 Emergency driving6

In this section, you will deal with the techniques you need tocontrol your vehicle during the execution part of an emergencysituation. To become skilled in emergency techniques, you need topractise, if possible, with a trained instructor.

Where to look

The rule is simple! Look where you want to go and steer there.Do not look at the tree you want to avoid, look at the gap youwant to get through.

Emergency braking techniques

Always try to brake in a straight line. Get your wheels straight andline up your vehicle so that it can go straight ahead while you arebraking. Do not try to brake when your vehicle is turned – youcould spin out. (See “Braking,” page 127.)

Emergency steering techniques

The difference between steering in an emergency situation andsteering in a normal driving situation is the speed and amount thatyou need to turn the wheel.

If you do skid and need to recover, turn the wheel to correct yourdirection of travel. This method just takes practise. The difficult partis knowing when your wheels are straight.

At higher speeds, use the “10 and 2” steering method. (See “Handpositions,” page 101.) Twist the wheel without moving your handson the wheel. When your hands return to “10” and “2,” you knowyour front wheels are straight.

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Advanced driving skills66.10 Emergency driving

Steering around an object involves threemovements:

SteerTwist the wheel in the direction you wish to go.

Counter-steerTurn the wheel back the other way beyond thecentrepoint.

Straighten outTwist the wheel back to the point where yourwheels are straight.

Timing is crucial, so it is advisable to practisethis manoeuvre with an experienced instructor.

It is important, after turning around an obstacle,to get the vehicle going straight before youbegin a second steering movement.

If your choice is between braking or steering,choose to steer. You can steer around anobstacle in a shorter distance than it takes tostop in front of it.

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6.10 Emergency driving6

Combined braking and steering

Where you have a choice, the best methodof dealing with an emergency is tocombine braking and steering. Brake first,while you slow down and regain controland finish deciding where you want to go.

If you have time and you are feeling calm,threshold brake. If not, lock your fourwheels. Regardless of the method ofbraking you use, take your foot off thebrake to steer around the object. Mostimportantly, do one thing at a time, eitherbrake or steer. If your wheels are locked,the car will go straight ahead regardless ofhow you turn the steering wheel.

Neutral/declutch

It is best to shift to neutral, or declutch, inall emergencies, except when you plan touse the accelerator to get out of trouble.

Skidding

A skid usually occurs on a slippery surfacewhen there is not enough traction to keepthe tires rolling. You will go into a skidwhen it is wet or slippery if you brake oraccelerate too hard or turn too sharply.

Regardless of the kind of skid, always shiftto neutral (declutch). Turning the wheel inthe direction of the skid is correct, butcomplicated. A much simpler way todecide what way to steer is to look whereyou want to go and steer there.

Never use cruise control when roads arewet or slippery or on gravel.

Skids resulting from braking

The remedy is the same in any skidresulting from braking, regardless of howmany wheels lock. Shift to neutral(declutch) and remove your foot from thebrake. Look where you want to go andsteer there. By shifting to neutral, you willensure that the skid does not get worseand you will get the wheels rolling again sothat you can steer.

You will probably have to correct thesteering. Look where you want to go andsteer there. This will usually mean steering,counter-steering and straightening out.

Brake Off brake

Steer

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Skids resulting from too muchacceleration

Sometimes too much acceleration or usingcruise control on a slippery surface will causethe vehicle to skid. To correct this situation,shift to neutral (declutch), take your foot offthe accelerator, look where you want to goand steer there. Do not touch the brake.Some corrective steering may be necessary.Never use cruise control when roads are wetor slippery or on gravel.

Skids resulting from steering too sharply

If you turn the wheel too far to the left orright on a slippery surface, the front wheelswill skid straight ahead. To correct this, youmust shift to neutral (declutch) and turn thewheel back towards the centre. As the wheelsmove to a position where they are turnedless sharply, they will begin to grip again andyou will be able to steer. You actually turnthe wheel in the opposite direction fromwhich you wish to go until the wheels beginto roll. Only at this point do you look whereyou want to go and steer there. When in a skid, look where you want to go and steer there.

When skids go too far

Sometimes, when a skid has gone too far,the vehicle will start to spin. You may notbe able to stop the spinning, but you dohave a choice of where it spins. Shift toneutral, if you have time, and lock all fourwheels. The vehicle will spin in a straightline, continuing in the direction in which itwas last going. Usually, if you do this youcan stay on the road.

To avoid getting into skids

To avoid getting into a skid, first adjustyour speed to the conditions, then look well ahead so that you have plenty of time to react slowly andsmoothly. If you must make any movements on a slippery surface, make them smoothly and gently and avoid sudden movements of the steering wheel.

Declutch

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Do not take any corrective action immediately, just steer straightalong the shoulder, gradually slowing down. Then, when you haveslowed and there are no other vehicles around, turn the wheel leftand almost immediately (when you feel your front wheel comeonto the road) counter-steer and straighten out.

It is a simple procedure as long as you do not steer very much. Youshould, however, grip the wheel tightly.

If you come off in a critical location, for example, just before abridge, then treat your return to the road like an emergency lanechange and steer, counter-steer, straighten.

Do not turn a little problem into a tragedy

Many collisions are caused by the driver’s over-reaction to apossible emergency situation. If you find yourself in an emergencysituation, try to remain calm and take the time to think before youact. As a skid develops, the earlier you take action, the smaller thecorrective movement required and the greater are your chances ofcontrolling it.

Drifting onto a soft shoulder

If you drift onto a soft shoulder, it is not what you do that isimportant, it is what you do not do that counts.

If your right wheels drop onto a soft shoulder, do not jerk thewheel to get back on the road in a hurry and do not brake hard.

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Ditches

With ditches, as with soft shoulders, it is what you do not do thatis important.

Do not brake hard, do not turn the wheel violently and do not tryto get back on the road. These actions are very likely to cause yourvehicle to roll over.

The important thing is to drive down the ditch. The greater theslope of the ditch, the more you will have to steer down the ditchto keep from rolling.

To drive down the ditch, hold the wheel firmly. Look and steergently down the slope to where you want to go. Stay off the brake.Gradually release the accelerator. If you need to steer to avoid anobstacle, do it slowly and gradually and, if you have a choice,choose the direction that will send you down the slope.

If you suddenly find yourself going into a ditch, do not over-react.Try to resist doing anything until you think about what you mustdo. You are better off to do nothing than to try the wrong thing.

It is perfectly all right to drive in a ditch, provided you do not hit an approach road or something hard. The main cause of rollovers isattempting to return to the road too early. You may have to be towedout, but that is a small price to pay compared to rolling the car.

Gentle ditch

Steep ditch

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Advanced driving skills 66.10 Emergency driving

Do not pump your brakes. It is the wrong thing to do with amodern brake system. If the vehicle pulls to one side, grasp thewheel firmly, counter-steer and shift to a lower gear. After the carhas stopped, do not drive any further. Call for help.

Power steering or power brake failure

Most vehicles have some form of power assistance for braking andsteering to reduce the force necessary to operate the controls.

If the engine stalls, you will lose your power assistance and you willhave to apply a great deal more force to the brake or steeringwheel to maintain control. Try shifting to neutral and re-startingthe engine, then return the shift lever to drive.

Accelerator sticking

If your accelerator sticks, do not panic. Shift to neutral (or declutch),slow down, pull over and stop. Then, turn the key off and tryunsticking the pedal with your feet.

Headlight failure

If your headlights suddenly go out, immediately slow down to keepyour original course, pull over and stop. Check the headlight switchand the dimmer switch. If these do not work, put on the parkinglights or emergency flashers.

Blow-outs

With a front or rear tire blow-out, do not over-react. Look whereyou want to go and steer there, holding the steering wheel firmly.Gradually ease off the accelerator and gently brake. Once you haveslowed down, steer the vehicle off to the side of the road.

Blow-outs can cause tremendous steering and wheel vibration. Donot be alarmed. Remember, gentle braking will improve stabilityand reduce steering and wheel vibration.

Rear wheel blow-outs can cause the back of the car to fishtail. Donot over-correct your steering. Just brake gently and steer whereyou want to go. Remember to shift to neutral (declutch).

Brake failure

Vehicles manufactured in the past 30 years have a two-circuithydraulic brake system, and total brake failure is very rare. If onehalf of the system fails, the brake warning light will usually comeon when you apply the brakes and you will have to push muchharder to slow or stop the vehicle. Even if the brake pedal goesright to the floor, do not give up. It will still have stopping power.

You can help slow the vehicle by using the parking brake. Try toavoid having the rear wheels lock as this will cause the vehicle tospin around. By adjusting the parking brake release, you will makeit easier to vary the pressure and avoid lock.

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Animals on the road

Each year in Saskatchewan, there are nearly 10,000 collision claimsinvolving wildlife. When you see a wildlife sign, take extra care. Thesign means the area is populated with wildlife or indicates a commoncrossing location for herds. Be alert to eyes shining out from theditch – remember, if you see one animal, others are likely nearby.

If you do come across an animal on the road, use the emergencytechniques referred to earlier to avoid a collision. If you have nochoice, brake hard and hit the animal. If it is a large animal like ahorse or a moose, try to get down below the windshield as this isapproximately where the belly of the animal will hit the car.

The best advice for dealing with a small animal, but the hardest togive, is: unless you can avoid it safely – hit it. You are very likely tolose control and may injure your passengers by trying to avoid theanimal.

When approaching any animal on or beside a highway, driversmust reduce speed and pass the animal only when it is safe to doso. If the animals are being herded or if you approach horsebackriders, you should wait for the herder or rider to move theanimal(s) to one side and indicate to you that it is safe to proceed.Do not use your horn as it may panic or scatter the animal(s).

6.11 UNDERSTANDING COLLISIONS

If you know your front steps are icy, you take special care whengoing down them. By being aware of and understanding somebasic traffic collision statistics, you will know to take special care toavoid high-risk situations.

Two-thirds of the time, the causes of collisions are related to drivercondition or improper action.

Some of the most common contributing factors to collisions are:

– driver inattention

– failing to yield the right of way

– driving too fast for road conditions

– driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

– disregarding a traffic control device

– driver inexperience or confusion

– following too closely

– backing unsafely

– changing lanes or passing improperly

Other information you should know about collisions:

– Most traffic collisions occur during peak traffic times such as lateafternoon and early evening.

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Advanced driving skills 66.11 Understanding collisions 6.12 What to do if you are in a collision

– December and January usually have the highest total number ofcollisions.

– July and August are when the most severe collisions and themost traffic deaths occur.

– Alcohol is a factor in about 5% of all traffic collisions and inabout 40% of all fatal collisions.

– Approximately 90% of all collisions in rural Saskatchewan aresingle-vehicle collisions.

– Wearing a seatbelt can decrease your chances of being killed orseriously injured in a collision by as much as 50%.

6.12 WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE IN A COLLISION

The first few minutes after a crash can be critical if the conse -quences are to be minimized. If you have not been seriously injuredduring the collision, the following steps should be followed asquickly and calmly as possible.

Protect the scene

If there has been any gasoline spilled, make sure the ignitions ofany damaged vehicles are turned off and any cigars or cigarettesare extinguished.

Warn approaching traffic by setting up flares (well away from thecrash scene) or delegating two people to signal at each end of thecollision scene. Turn on the hazard lights of all undamaged vehiclesat the scene. This is particularly critical during darkness or at timesof reduced visibility when the risk of subsequent collisions is veryhigh.

Check all injuries

Make an initial survey of damage, checking for hidden victims.Administer first aid to the injured in order of priority. Injuredpersons should be moved only if they are in danger of drowning,suffocating, burning or being electrocuted.

If you have not had formal training in first aid, follow these tips:

– If the person is unconscious, be sure his or her air passages areclear. False teeth, chewing gum, vomit or mucus can block airpassages.

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Advanced driving skills66.12 What to do if you are in a collision

Check for witnesses

Record the names of any witnesses to assist the police with theirinvestigation. Keep a copy of the names for your insurancecompany or lawyer in case any legal action follows.

Provide a report to police

If asked, you are required to provide a statement to police if youwere a driver, passenger or witness.

If you are involved in a collision in which there are no injuries ordeaths, that does not involve a hit and run or an impaired driver,that does not involve an out-of-province vehicle and where allvehicles can be driven from the scene of the collision, you mustprovide the vehicle owner with your name, address, driver’s licencenumber and any relevant insurance information.

Dangerous goods

If a vehicle involved in the collision is a truck displaying adangerous goods placard, you must take extra care in case thevehicle is discharging a dangerous substance.

– If the person is not breathing and you are familiar with mouth-to-mouth or artificial respiration, begin the procedure immediately.

– Stop bleeding by applying direct pressure over the wound. A clean piece of tissue or handkerchief may be used. If there is adepressed skull fracture, pressure should not be applied.

– If a person is pinned in a car, do not attempt to move him or her,but be sure the head and spine are firmly supported.

– Reassure the injured individual and stay with him or her until anambulance or other vehicle is available to take him or her to thehospital.

– Give all information on the first aid that you have applied to theambulance attendant and the police.

Call the police

All crashes involving injuries, death, hit and run, an impaireddriver, an out-of-province vehicle or where a vehicle must betowed from the scene must be immediately reported to police.

Be prepared to give an accurate description of the crash location,the number of injured persons, the severity of the injuries and anyother support services that may be required, such as ambulance,firefighting, rescuing or towing. Stay on the phone long enough tomake certain that all the information has been recorded.

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Exchange information with other drivers

As a driver in Saskatchewan, you are required to provide your nameand address to any other persons involved in the crash, regardlessof the severity of the crash. If a non-Saskatchewan vehicle isinvolved, or if you are involved in a collision outside Saskatchewan,you are also required to provide information on the company thatinsures your vehicle.

Do not admit fault or any other liability before discussing thedetails of the crash with your insurance adjuster.

Do not offer to pay for any repairs or accept payment for repairsunless you are prepared to handle the matter without the help ofyour insurance company.

Report to SGI

You can report your claim online by visiting SGI's website atwww.sgi.sk.ca and using the SGI Auto eClaim registration service, orcall Dial-A-Claim at the claims centre closest to your home (seethe SGI information pages at the front of every SaskTel phonebook).

When you report a claim, we will set up an appointment to haveyour vehicle appraised and the damage assessed. To help you avoid delays, please don’t visit your claims centre for an appraisalwithout first calling Dial-A-Claim or using eClaim.

If your vehicle is not driveable, call Dial-A-Claim to make arrange -ments with an adjuster. Your vehicle will be towed to a locationwhere the damage can be appraised.

To speed up the process when you report your claim, have thefollowing information on hand: your driver’s licence, the vehicleregistration and, if you have one, your auto extension policynumber.

Collisions involving injury, death, hit and run, an impaired driver,vehicles that have to be towed from the scene or an out-of-province vehicle must also be reported to the police.

At the claims centre an appraiser will assess the damage to yourvehicle and the cost of repairs. Once the appraisal is done, you willreceive a printout outlining the cost of repairs if your vehicle isrepairable.

Once your adjuster has confirmed your coverage, you may havethe vehicle repaired at the autobody shop of your choice. SGIdoesn’t direct customers to any particular repair facility.

If your vehicle cannot be repaired, your adjuster will advise you ofthe process for “total loss” vehicles.

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If you are injured in a crash, you should immediately contact aninjury claims centre or rural branch office nearest you.

For further information on the auto claim process please refer tothe You and Your Auto Claim brochure available at all SGI claimscentres and motor licence issuers.

After hoursYou may report a claim by telephone after regular office hours:Monday to Friday – 5 to 8 p.m.Saturday – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.1-800-647-6448

Out-of-province crashesIf the crash occurs outside of Saskatchewan, call, fax or write:SGI Out-of-Province Claims Dept. 440 Fleet StreetRegina, SaskatchewanS4N 7N7Telephone 1-800-647-6448Monday to Friday – 5 to 8 p.m.Saturday – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

SGI staff will provide you with the name of the SGI adjuster who willhelp you with your claim. In the case of a loss outside Saskatchewan,SGI may also provide you with the name of an independent adjustingfirm in your area to assist you with your claim.

Advanced driving skills 66.13 Impairing factors

6.13 IMPAIRING FACTORS

Facts about drinking and driving:

– In Saskatchewan, a drinking driver is involved in four out of every10 fatal traffic crashes.

– There is a drinking driver in one out of 10 collisions wheresomeone is injured.

– Between 1:30 and 3 a.m., every eighth driver is legally impairedby alcohol.

– On average, throughout most evenings, every 32nd driver islegally impaired by alcohol.

Alcohol, although legal, is an addictive drug that depresses thecentral nervous system (brain) and may change your mood andbehaviour.

Alcohol affects everyone differently. Blood alcohol content (BAC)may be affected by age, gender, physical condition, amount of foodconsumed, medication and other factors. Also, different mixeddrinks contain different amounts of alcohol, so it’s important toknow how much alcohol has been consumed, not just how manydrinks the person has had.

Alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream very quickly and entersthe brain where it immediately affects brain functions required tocarry out the complete driving task.

It is important to recognize that the functions first affected –reasoning, inhibitions and memory – are the ones most requiredfor the identification, prediction and decision-making portions ofthe driving task. Many people wrongly assess their ability to driveafter drinking by observing physical dexterity (staggering, etc.). Thisis incorrect as the greatest percentage of alcohol-related collisionsresult from faulty thinking during the identification, prediction anddecision parts of the driving task and not as a result of poorexecution (steering, braking, etc.).

The brain functions that are first affected by alcohol consumptionare not only important to our ability to drive safely, but are thesame ones required to make rational decisions about not drivingafter drinking. For this reason, you must make the decision toseparate your drinking and driving and make the necessaryalternate transportation plans before you have that first drink!

It does not make sense to drive after drinking. For more informa -tion on the effects of alcohol and drugs, contact your nearestAlcohol and Drug Services office.

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– Only safe level!

– Impairment begins. Reasoning and inhibitions reduced.– Roadside suspension for new and provisional drivers can occur.

– Roadside suspension can occur.– Motor skills, vision, memory, hearing and concentration affected.– Increased risk of crash. Greater risk when combined with fatigue, illness, stress, other drugs or poor driving

conditions.

– Driving is illegal anywhere in Canada. Greater levels of impairment than in all of the above.

– Motor skills, mental functions and vision are severely impaired.

– Extreme crash risk!

– Unconsciousness.

– Death.

.00%

.01 – .03%

.04 – .07%

Over .08%

.12 – .15%

.16%

.25 – .35%

.35 – .45%

AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES

(BAC) BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT LEVELS

(Guide based on averages – not for legal use)

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Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD)

SADD is a positive lifestyle promotional program that attempts tomake drinking and driving socially unacceptable among youngpeople and encourages them to help each other change theirattitudes about drinking and driving. With the help of an adultleader, students develop and promote the program themselvesusing assemblies, rallies, classroom sessions and social activities.Parents are encouraged to support the program by attending SADDfunctions and entering into a contract with their teenager wherebyeach agrees to always seek safe, sober transportation home.

For more information, contact SADD, 1870 Lorne St., Regina,Saskatchewan S4P 2L7. Phone: 306-757-5562.

Prescription and over-the-counter drugs

There are a number of things you should know about drugs anddriving:

– Many drugs affect your brain functioning.

– Some drugs, like alcohol, directly affect your driving.

– If you are taking a number of drugs together, the combinationmay affect your driving, although the individual drugs may not.

– When you combine small quantities of seemingly innocent drugs,such as antihistamines (cold and allergy remedies), tranquilizersand motion sickness pills, with alcohol, these drugs add to, andsometimes multiply, the effect on driving.

Regardless of what drugs you are taking, ask your doctor orpharmacist the following questions. Is it safe to drive while youtake the drug? What are the effects of mixing your drugs withalcohol? What are the effects on driving of mixing drugs, if you aretaking more than one kind?

Illegal drugs

Illegal drugs, such as marijuana, hashish, LSD, amphetamines orcocaine, impair your driving.

They can alter your perception of time and what you see. They canmake you hallucinate or miss things you should see. They can putyou to sleep.

There are no illegal drugs that improve your driving. They all makeit worse. Do not drive after using any drugs.

The impaired driving legislation is applicable to impairment byalcohol, as well as impairment by any other drugs.

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Some short-term “solutions”:

• Try coffee. It will make you more alert for a short time.

• Practise counting time, practise identifying, predicting anddeciding out loud.

• Listen to radio or to tapes. Talk shows are best.

• Get your blood flowing. Stop, exercise, chew gum.

If you can’t stay awake, then for your safety and the safety ofothers, get off the road!

Personal stress and illness

By now, it should be clear to you that driving places heavydemands on your ability to think clearly. Emotional and physicalstress – worry, grief, anger, joy, a toothache, a headache – anythingthat is really bothering you, will distract you from the thinking partof your driving. If you know you are under stress, either emotionalor physical, do not drive. Arrange to be driven by someone elsewho is not involved in the emotional situation and who isphysically well.

In addition to alcohol and drugs impairing your judgment anddriving ability, there are many other factors that can affect yoursafety on the road.

Fatigue

It is not wise to drive when you are tired or sleepy, particularly ifyou are driving along a straight road where the chances of fallingasleep are high.

An early warning sign of fatigue is noticing you are not looking asfar ahead as you should, or not moving your eyes in the propersearch pattern. Rather you tend to stare straight ahead.

What can you do about it?

• Recognize and admit that you are becoming tired. Some highwayshave rumble strips along the shoulder line and, in a few places,on the centres lines to alert drivers when they drift out of theirlane.

• Stop and rest.

• Change drivers when you start to feel tired.

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Aggressive driving

Slow moving traffic, a motorist who doesn’t signal, a seeminglyendless stream of pedestrians – they can all frustrate the averagedriver. Aggressive driving, more commonly known as road rage,occurs when a motorist becomes angry, hostile or furious behindthe wheel. And it’s not only yelling obscenities or running otherdrivers off the road that are signs of road rage. The slightestvariation in driving behaviour, no matter how minimal, is stillconsidered road rage.

To ensure a safe trip, it's recommended that drivers:

– don’t take traffic problems personally

– avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver

– don’t make obscene gestures

– don’t tailgate

– use your horn sparingly

– don’t block the passing lane

– don’t block the right turn lane

If you notice someone on the road who is driving aggressively, thebest thing you can do to ensure your safety is to pull over and letthat person pass by you.

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Cellular phones

Many collisions are the result of driver inattention. With thegrowing popularity of cellular phones, many people are talking onthe phone while driving, which can have dangerous consequences.As a result, there is legislation that prohibits the use of a cellularphone without a hands-free headset while driving.

The following are key tips to remember when using a cellularphone in your vehicle to ensure a safe ride:

– always use a hands-free unit

– become familiar with your phone and its features – before youtry to use the hands-free unit while driving

– don’t dial while driving – instead, pull off the road

– be a good Samaritan by reporting emergencies and road hazards

– never take notes or look up phone numbers while driving

– avoid stressful or emotional conversations while on the road; you can always pull over or end the conversation

– do not use a cellular phone when refueling your vehicle

– most importantly, whenever possible, pull over to a safe spot onthe roadside to use the phone

Cigarette smoke

Cigarette smoke will gradually cause a film on the inside of yourwindshield and windows. If people who smoke use your vehicle,clean the inside of your windows with window cleaner as soon asyou notice the start of a build up.

Fog, dust, heavy rain and poor visibility

These factors may impair your vision:

• Make sure that your headlights and taillights are on and clean sothat other people can see you.

• Adjust your speed to the number of seconds you can see ahead.If you can’t see 12 seconds ahead, slow down until you can.

• In fog, blowing snow or heavy rain you will see better if youdrive with your lights on low beam.

• Be aware that during the first 10 minutes of a rain storm, theroads are the most slippery.

• The solution to driving in heavy rain is to slow down, makingonly small and gentle movements with your brake, acceleratorand steering wheel.

• The smear that windshield wipers sometimes create may beremoved by using a good windshield wiper fluid or a sprinkle ofordinary detergent.

• If you have already slowed down and still cannot see 12 secondsahead, find a safe place as soon as you can and get off the road.

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7.1 THE TRAFFIC SAFETY ACT

Cities, towns and some villages have their own set of ‘rules of theroad,’ known as bylaws. These rules are necessary as each urbancentre has special driving situations. However, bylaws mustcomplement The Traffic Safety Act, Saskatchewan’s traffic laws.

Enforcement

To permit the police to function effectively, they have been givencertain powers. You are required to comply with the requests ordemands of the police when they are carrying out their duties.

Stopping when signalled by police

Police can signal you to stop using their red/blue lights, a specialstop light, voice commands or hand signals. You must stop at theearliest safe opportunity.

Producing driver’s licence and registration

If requested, you must show the police your driver’s licence andvehicle registration. If you do not have them with you, the policemay allow you up to 48 hours to produce them.

Unsafe vehicles

The police may require you to submit your vehicle for a safety test.If they find that your vehicle is unsafe, they can order you to takeit off the road and to not drive it until it has been repaired.

Seizure of vehicles

If police believe your vehicle is being driven in violation of trafficlaws, or if the vehicle is parked in a place that presents a danger toothers, it can be seized. The police can keep it in storage until theexpenses of seizing it are paid and until they are satisfied that the

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7.1 The Traffic Safety Act7

148

vehicle should be released. If you feel the police are holding yourvehicle without justification, you may appeal to the HighwayTraffic Board for its release.

The vehicle you are operating will be seized and impounded for 30 days if you are found driving while suspended or disqualified;your suspension period has ended but you are found drivingwithout renewing your licence; or, you are driving without a validlicence and have been convicted of the same offence within thepreceding five years. The second occurrence in a two-year periodwill result in a 60-day vehicle impoundment.

The vehicle will be impounded even if you are not the owner. Alltowing and storage costs are the responsibility of the vehicleowner.

An application can be made to have a vehicle released early fromimpoundment in certain limited circumstances.

Roadside suspensions

Novice – Novice drivers who have consumed any amount ofalcohol before driving will receive a 30-day suspension and berequired to take a DWI course within 90 days. Subsequent alcoholviolations will result in a 90-day suspension, as well as the need to

complete an alcohol addiction screening and the prescribededucation or recovery program.

Experienced – Experienced drivers with a BAC over .04 will receivea 24-hour immediate roadside suspension.

A second .04 violation will result in a 15-day administrative sus -pension and a requirement to take a Driving Without Impairment(DWI) course within 90 days of the violation.

On a third .04 BAC occurring within five years, the driver’s licencesuspension will be for 90 days, and the driver will be required toattend an alcohol addiction screening and assessment. Before thedriver’s licence can be reinstated, the driver will have to completethe education or recovery program recommended by the addictioncounselor.

Restricted and provisional – Drivers with restricted or provisionallicences who have consumed any amount of alcohol will receive a30-day administrative suspension. In addition, the balance of theoriginal statutory suspension will be reinstated and the driver willbe required to undergo addictions screening and complete theprescribed treatment recommended by the addiction counselorprior to licence reinstatement.

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7.1 The Traffic Safety Act7

7.2 The Criminal Code of Canada

7.2 THE CRIMINAL CODE OF CANADA

Certain driving behaviours are dealt with more severely or areconsidered to be sufficiently dangerous or objectionable to bedealt with under the Criminal Code. A conviction for one of theseoffences can lead to severe penalties, including a fine with nomaximum and a jail term of up to life.

Under provincial legislation, you will also face a statutory licencesuspension and be required to complete licence reinstatementconditions, including mandatory addictions screening and com -pletion of the prescribed education or recovery program, for certainoffences.

Drinking and driving

It is an offence to drive or to have control of a motor vehicle whenyou have over 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (80 mg% or.08). A breath sample or a blood sample may be taken to providethis evidence. If your blood alcohol content (BAC) is over .08, youhave committed a Criminal Code offence. If you are convicted, youwill have a criminal record.

The minimum fine is $1,000 with no maximum fine and up to fiveyears in jail. In addition, the court must issue an order prohibitingyou from operating a motor vehicle for a period ranging from oneto three years for your first offence.

All drivers – To determine whether a person’s ability to drive isimpaired from either alcohol or drugs, you’ll be expected to do awalk and turn test, a one-leg stand and test as well as be checkedfor the involuntary movement of your eyes. Failing or refusing totake the Standard Field Sobriety Test will result in an immediate24-hour roadside suspension.

As well, four demerit points will be assessed for each incidentunder the Safe Driver Recognition program.

Arrest

You may be arrested if you:

– operate an unregistered vehicle

– drive without a driver’s licence

– fail to stop when signalled by police

– drive without care and attention or without reasonableconsideration for others

– tamper with a vehicle

– fail to provide information when requested by police

– commit Criminal Code offences

You may be arrested if the police have reason to believe you willnot appear in court to answer your summons.

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Complying with the law when driving77.2 The Criminal Code of Canada

Failing to comply with a demand

If a police officer suspects that you have consumed alcohol, hemay demand that you provide a breath sample for analysis by anapproved screening device.

If a police officer believes you are over .08 BAC, but you cannotprovide a breath sample, the officer may demand that you permita sample of your blood to be taken for analysis. If you are notcapable of understanding the demand for a blood sample, thepolice may require a blood sample to be taken without yourconsent.

Refusing to comply with a demand made by a police officer is anoffence. The penalty is the same as for exceeding .08 BAC.

Driving while disqualified

If you drive while disqualified, you are guilty of an offence. Themaximum penalty is a fine of $2,000 and a jail term of five years.

In addition, if you drive while suspended, disqualified or without avalid driver’s licence following a suspension, or with a prior convic -tion for no valid licence, the vehicle you are driving at the time willbe seized and impounded for 30 days. The second occurrence for adriver in a two-year period will result in a 60-day vehicleimpoundment.

Impaired driving

Driving any motorized vehicle or vessel while your ability isimpaired by drugs, alcohol or both is an offence. This includesimpairment from alcohol and illegal, prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

Penalties for impaired driving are the same as those for drivingwith a BAC over .08. If you are charged and convicted of impaireddriving causing bodily harm or death, the penalty can be up to lifein jail and the court may issue an order prohibiting you fromoperating a motor vehicle for a period of up to 10 years.

The cost in human terms can be very high. People are maimed orkilled, children do not come back from dances, parents are nolonger there or not able to help when they are needed. You maynot like to discuss this because you need to drive, but you may alsolike to drink as part of your social activities.

Care and control

A person may be charged with being impaired or having a BACover .08 even if he or she is not driving at the time, but is deemedto have care or control of a motor vehicle. This means that aperson who is in a vehicle and has the ability to set the vehicle inmotion, whether there is any intent to do so, may be charged. Thepenalty is the same as that for impaired driving or .08 BAC.

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7.2 The Criminal Code of Canada7

Criminal negligence

Driving with reckless disregard for life and safety is an offence. Ifyou are charged and convicted of criminal negligence causingbodily harm, the penalty can be up to 10 years in jail and the courtmay issue an order prohibiting you from operating a motor vehiclefor a period of up to 10 years. If you are charged and convicted ofcriminal negligence causing death, the penalty can be life in jail.

Dangerous driving

Failing to exercise reasonable care in the operation of a motorvehicle is an offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $2,000 andfive years in jail. If you are charged and convicted of dangerousdriving causing bodily harm, the penalty can be up to 10 years injail and the court may issue an order prohibiting you fromoperating a motor vehicle for a period of up to 10 years. If you arecharged and convicted of dangerous driving causing death, thepenalty can be up to 14 years in jail.

Failure to stop at scene of collision

If you are involved in a collision with a person, vehicle or cattle inthe charge of a person, you must give your name, address, driver’slicence number and insurance information to any other involvedpeople and assist any injured people.

All collisions involving injuries, death, hit and run, an impaireddriver, an out-of-province vehicle or where a vehicle must betowed from the scene must be immediately reported to police.

If you leave the scene of a crash, you are guilty of an offence. Themaximum penalty is a fine of $2,000 and two years in jail and thecourt may issue an order prohibiting you from operating a motorvehicle for a period of up to three years.

Licence disqualifications

If you are convicted of any of the offences discussed in thissection, your licence will be automatically cancelled and you willbe disqualified from driving. The period of disqualification will bebased on the number of these convictions you have had since Jan. 1, 2000.

One conviction 1 yearTwo convictions 3 yearsThree convictions 5 yearsFour or more convictions 5 years, with no early reinstatement

In addition to these automatic disqualifications, the court mayissue an order prohibiting you from operating a motor vehicle onany street, road, highway or other public place anywhere in Canadafor a period of time. You will not be allowed issue of a driver’slicence until the expiration of the longer period, whether it is theautomatic disqualification or the court order.

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Complying with the law when driving77.3 Traffic tickets 7.4 Driver Improvement Program

7.3 TRAFFIC TICKETS

When the police charge you with a violation, they will write out aticket indicating the offence committed as well as the date, timeand location. The ticket will also indicate where and when you areto appear in court.

For some less serious offences, the ticket will indicate the amountof the fine you must pay. If you choose to plead guilty, you maypay your fine voluntarily through the mail.

You must appear in court to enter a not guilty plea. You will thenhave a trial date set. For any serious offences, or any Criminal Codeoffences, you should consult a lawyer before entering a plea.

7.4 DRIVER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

The Driver Improvement Program monitors the driving records ofall Saskatchewan drivers. The program aims to make Saskatchewanroads safer for everyone by reducing the incidence of high-riskbehaviour by motorists.

Impaired driving is one example of high-risk driving, but manymotorists endanger the lives of others through behaviours thatfrequently cause motor vehicle collisions, including speeding,running red lights and stunting.

Under this program, drivers are assigned points every time they areconvicted of a traffic offence or have an at-fault collision. Driverswho reach their maximum threshold of points are sent warningletters and must attend an interview with SGI driver examinationstaff if their record does not improve.

Drivers who continue their high-risk behaviour face consequencesthat include fines, mandatory driver’s licence re-testing, driver’slicence suspensions of up to six months and completion of a driverimprovement training program.

For more information on the Driver Improvement Program, call 1-800-667-9868.


7.5 Safe Driver Recognition7

7.5 SAFE DRIVER RECOGNITION

The Safe Driver Recognition program rewards safe drivers with adiscount on their vehicle insurance.

If you own or lease a vehicle registered in Class LV, PV or F (one tonmodel or smaller), you’re eligible to receive a discount on your vehicleinsurance premium. That discount applies to each vehicle you insure.

On the other hand, the program also ensures drivers who demon -strate risky behaviour pay their share in financial penalties –helping offset the costs of the discount for safe drivers.

How it works:

The Safety Zone – Discounts

For every year since 1995 that you have driven without anincident, you earn a safety point. Each point in the Safety Zonecorresponds to a two per cent discount on your vehicle plateinsurance, to a maximum of 20 per cent. Drivers who havemaintained safe records for the past 14 years can earn up to +14safety points. These drivers are known as our Platinum customers.Their maximum discount remains at 20 per cent, but the extrapoints act as a cushion to shield Platinum customers from theeffects of an incident.

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Complying with the law when driving77.5 Safe Driver Recognition

Even if you do not own a vehicle, a positive rating in the SafetyZone is beneficial to you. It protects all safe drivers from financialpenalties if they are involved in future incidents.

You only receive a financial penalty for an incident if it causes youto lose enough points to move you to the Penalty Zone on thescale. As long as you remain in the Safety Zone, you continue toreceive some level of discount.

The Penalty Zone – Financial penalties

Driver lose points for unsafe driving – such as being at fault for acollision (-6 points) or certain traffic convictions and roadsidesuspensions (-3 or -4 points). Driving disqualifications automaticallymove drivers to -20 or further, regardless of where they were onthe scale prior.

Financial penalties are assessed for incidents that result in a safetyrating below zero, with a penalty of $25 per point. The maximumsingle penalty is $500, except for Criminal Code offences resultingin injury or death, where the penalty is $2,500.

Motorists are assessed the penalty immediately and have 90 daysto pay the charge. These penalties are in addition to fines handedout by law enforce ment for traffic convictions.

Moving out of the Penalty Zone

Each year of incident-free driving moves you one point backtowards the Safety Zone. As long as you are moving towards theSafety Zone, you do not pay another financial penalty – you payonly your basic vehicle insurance premium. In other words, you donot pay your way out of the Penalty Zone – you drive your wayout of the Penalty Zone, through safe driving.

After three consecutive years of safe driving, drivers still remainingin the Penalty Zone automatically move out of the Penalty Zoneand return to neutral (the starting point), and can begin to earnpoints towards a discount again.

For further information see SGI’s Safe Driver Recognition brochure.

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AAccelerating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103Accelerator sticking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135Aggressive driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97Angle parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109Animals on the road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136Arrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

BBacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104

Steering techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106

Before you drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94Design components for safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95Seating position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98Vehicle familiarization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

BicyclesLanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37Sharing the road with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Blind spots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Blow-outs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127Brake failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135Combined braking and steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131Emergency braking techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129Power steering or power brake failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

Bus lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

CCare and attention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Care and control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Cellular phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 146Centre turning lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44Change of name or address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Changing lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35Child restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97Cigarette smoke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146Circles – traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50Classified driver’s licence system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Closing time of two vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118Clutch

Neutral/clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103Neutral/declutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

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Collisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136Call the police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138Check all injuries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137Check for witnesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138Dangerous goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138Exchange information with other drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139Failure to stop at scene of collision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151Protect the scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137Provide a report to police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138What to do if you are in a collision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

Concept of gates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Construction signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71Controlled access highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51Corners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120Coverage for multiple-vehicle losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Coverage for specific single-vehicle losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Criminal Code of Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

Care and control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Criminal negligence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151Dangerous driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151Drinking and driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149Driving while disqualified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Failing to comply with a demand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Failure to stop at scene of collision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

Impaired driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Licence disqualifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

Criminal negligence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151Crossing urban streets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51Crossings – railway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72Crossroad delineators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120

DDangerous driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151Dense traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93Design components for safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95Directional dividing lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31Ditches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134Dividing lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31Drinking and driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141, 149

Driving while disqualified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Failing to comply with a demand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Impaired driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Licence disqualifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151Roadside suspensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

Driver education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Driver Improvement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

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157

Driver’s licence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Change of name or address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Classified licence system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Driver Improvement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152Driving while disqualified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Fake ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Licence disqualifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151Mandatory driver education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Medical requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Producing driver’s licence and registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Provisional licence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Roadside suspensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

DrugsIllegal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143Prescription and over-the-counter drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143

Dust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

EEmergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128

Accelerator sticking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135Animals on the road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136Blow-outs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135Brake failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135Combined braking and steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131Ditches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134

Drifting onto a soft shoulder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133Emergency braking techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129Emergency steering techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129Headlight failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135Neutral/declutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131On the freeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116Power steering or power brake failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135Search patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Skidding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131Where to look . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129

Emergency vehicles – sharing the road with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Eye use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Checking your gates in urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Checking your gates on highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Checking your instruments in urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Checking your instruments on highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Driving in dense traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93Filling in the gap in urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Filling in the gap on highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Looking up in urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Looking up on highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88Referencing down in urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Referencing down on highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90Search patterns at night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

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Search patterns in emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93Search patterns in urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Search patterns on highways and rural roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88Steer where you look . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87Sweeping highways with your eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Sweeping with your eyes in urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

FFake ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Farm equipment – sharing the road with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Fatigue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144Filling in the gap

Highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Fines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148Fog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146Following distance – estimating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83Freeways

Emergencies on the freeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116Entering a freeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114If you miss an exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115Leaving a freeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115Restricted access freeways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114While on the freeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

Funeral processions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

GGates

Checking your gates in urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Checking your gates on highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91The concept of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Gears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Gravel roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121Grid roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121Guide signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

H“Hand over hand” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102Hand positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135When to dim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Heavy traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93Highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51, 114

Checking your gates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Checking your instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

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Controlled access highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114Driving to the left of centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51Emergencies on the freeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116Entering a freeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114Filling in the gap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91If you miss an exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115Leaving a freeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115“Looking up” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88One-way highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51“Referencing down” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90Restricted access freeways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114Search patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88Sweeping with your eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91While on the freeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

Hill parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

IIce and slippery surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

How to stop on slippery surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125Skidding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

ID requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Illegal drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143Illness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

Impairing factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141Aggressive driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145Cellular phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 146Cigarette smoke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146Drinking and driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141, 149Fatigue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144Fog, dust, heavy rain and poor visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146Illegal drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143Impaired driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Personal stress and illness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144Prescription and over-the-counter drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) . . . . . . . . . . .143

Information signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74Instruments

Checking in urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Checking on highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

IntersectionsRight turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38Left turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Right of way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Highway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51Stopping positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48Parking lots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54Centre turning lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

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IPDE method of driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78Identify . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79Predict . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79Decide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80Execute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

KKnowledge tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

LLanes

Bicycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37Bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37Centre turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35Designation signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64Lane selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

LawsArrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149Care and control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Complying with the law when driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Criminal Code of Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149Criminal negligence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

Dangerous driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151Drinking and driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149Driver Improvement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152Driving while disqualified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Failing to comply with a demand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150Failure to stop at scene of collision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151Impaired driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141, 150Licence disqualifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151Producing driver’s licence and registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Roadside suspensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148Rules related to vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58Seizure of vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Stopping when signalled by police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Traffic tickets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152Unsafe vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Left turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Licence plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Insurance coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Your vehicle deductible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135When to dim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

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“Looking up”Highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88Urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Low speed skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104Low speed manoeuvreing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104Steering techniques for backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106

Low visibility and night driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

MMandatory driver education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Medians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53Medical requirements for driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Medical scooters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52Merging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114Mirror adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99Motorcycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Sharing the road with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Motorized wheelchairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52Mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121Municipal roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121

NNegligence – criminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

NeutralNeutral/clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103Neutral/declutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Night drivingLow visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56Search patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

No Fault Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7No zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

OOne-way highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51One-way streets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41Orange zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19, 71Over-the-counter drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143Overwidth vehicles – sharing the road with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

PParallel parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

Angle parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109Parking on a hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110Parallel parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Parking lots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

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Passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36, 116The actual passing judgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119Being passed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119Estimation of the closing time of two vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . .118Estimation of safe passing time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116The safe/unsafe judgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

Pedestrian crossing signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64Pedestrians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51Personal Auto Injury Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

No Fault Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Tort Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Phones – cellular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 146Potential hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77Power steering or power brake failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135Prescription drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143Provisional licence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

RRailway crossings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72Rain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146Real hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77“Referencing down”


Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Producing driver’s licence and registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Regulatory signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59Report to SGI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139Resource access roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121Restricted access freeways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114Right of way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Right turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38Road test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

A road test will be refused if: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Preparing for your road test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15You will fail the road test if you: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Roadside suspensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148Rules related to vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58Rural roads – search patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

SSADD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143Safe Driver Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153Safe passing time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116Safe/unsafe judgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119Safety

Design components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95Unsafe vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

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School buses – sharing the road with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25Search patterns

Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93Highways and rural roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Urban areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Seatbelts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96Seating position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98Seizure of vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Sharing the road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

with bicycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25with emergency vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27with farm equipment and overwidth vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25with funeral processions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27with large trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22with motorcycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24with school buses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26with snowmobiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25with snow plows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24with tow trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Shifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103Shoulder – drifting onto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133Signalling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33Signals – traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59Construction signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71Crossroad delineators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73Guide signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73Information signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74Lane designation signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64Parking signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63Pedestrian crossing signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64Railway crossings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72Regulatory signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59Six basic sign shapes every driver must know . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59Standard sign colours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61Turn control signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66Warning signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Slippery surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123How to stop on slippery surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125Skidding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Smoke – cigarette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146Snowfalls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126Snowmobiles – sharing the road with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Snow plows – sharing the road with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Choosing the right speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

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Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106Combined braking and steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131Emergency steering techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129“Hand over hand” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102Hand positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101Power steering or power brake failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135Steer where you look . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Stopping and parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Stopping positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48Stress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) . . . . . . . . . . . .143Survival – winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126Sweeping with your eyes


TTests

Knowledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Tickets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

Time – the key to judgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81Using time to estimate your following distance . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Tire blow-outs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135Tort Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Tow trucks – sharing the road with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Traffic circles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50Traffic lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32Traffic Safety Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Arrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Producing driver’s licence and registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Roadside suspensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148Seizure of vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Stopping when signalled by police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Unsafe vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Traffic signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75Traffic signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Construction signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71Crossroad delineators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73Guide signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73Information signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74Lane designation signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64Parking signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63Pedestrian crossing signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

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Railway crossings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72Regulatory signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59Six basic sign shapes every driver must know . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59Standard sign colours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61Turn control signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66Warning signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Traffic tickets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152Train crossings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72Trucks – sharing the road with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34Turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38, 110

Centre turning lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44Control signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66Corners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120Left turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Right turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38Two-point turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112U-turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

Two-point turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

UUnsafe vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Urban streets

Checking your gates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Checking your instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Crossing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51Filling in the gap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Looking up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Referencing down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Search patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Sweeping with your eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

U-turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

VVehicle

Coverage for specific single-vehicle losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Coverage for specific multiple-vehicle losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Familiarization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94Personal Auto Injury Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Rules related to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58Seizure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Unsafe vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

VisibilityLow and night driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56Poor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

Vision test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

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WWarning signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67Wheelchairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52Whiteouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126Winter driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

Driving on slippery surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123First snowfalls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126How to get moving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125How to stop on slippery surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125Preparing to see and to be seen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123Preparing your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126Temptations to resist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125Whiteouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

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saskatchewan drivers handbook

Documents